Love Turns Sour As Gospel Singer Denzel Faces Sextape Extortion Allegations

HARARE – Gospel singer Denzel has been drawn into a controversy involving allegations that an intimate video belonging to his girlfriend, Melo, was used to demand money from her.

Melo, the daughter of businesswoman Zodwa, is reportedly at the centre of the dispute after an old intimate video involving her and musician King98 allegedly resurfaced as part of an extortion attempt.

According to sources, Denzel is accused of taking the video from Melo’s phone without her knowledge and handing it to a friend for safekeeping, allegedly fearing that he could be caught with other people’s devices.

The friend is then alleged to have threatened to release the footage unless Melo paid US$20,000.

Sources claim that Melo informed Denzel about the demands, prompting the couple to engage in negotiations in an effort to reduce the amount.

The negotiations allegedly resulted in an agreement to pay US$10,000 to prevent the video from being circulated.

After the payment was reportedly made, Denzel allegedly urged Melo not to inform her mother about the incident, saying it could create further problems.

However, Melo later confided in her mother, explaining that someone was threatening to release her private videos in exchange for money.

Her mother reportedly launched her own inquiries and discovered allegations linking Denzel to the incident, with sources claiming that the money had already been paid.

She is said to have subsequently decided to end the relationship, arguing that her daughter’s partner had acted improperly.

A source familiar with the matter said Melo felt betrayed, particularly because Denzel had allegedly been involved in negotiating with the person making the threats.

The source added that the incident was especially painful given the couple’s reported engagement and the substantial amount allegedly paid to prevent the video’s release.

Sabhuku Themba Mliswa also weighed in on the controversy, criticising what he described as a growing appetite among some young people for easy money.

Mliswa said he had always encouraged his children to pursue education, work hard and build their own financial independence rather than rely on family wealth.

He revealed that he had previously donated 10 cattle to Melo and encouraged her to pursue farming, noting that she had a farm left to her by an uncle.

Mliswa expressed disappointment over the allegations, suggesting that the young man involved may have been motivated by the prospect of accessing money from Melo’s family.

He also questioned the motive behind threatening to publish someone’s intimate images, arguing that such conduct serves no legitimate purpose.

Mliswa further warned that using private images to threaten or extort another person is a criminal offence.