Chiyangwa doles out non-existent stands

Standard People
BY GODWIN MUZARI LAST month Philip Chiyangwa was in  a festive mood splashing residential stands to four musicians but the beneficiaries are still to get their ‘Christmas presents’, weeks into the New Year.

Sulumani Chimbetu, Nicholas Zakaria, Sugar Sugar and Papa Tongo were the unexpecting recipients of Chiyangwa’s “charitable hand” but all are still waiting to set their feet on their new priced possessions.At the beginning of December, the flamboyant businessman attended Sulumani’s album launch and proudly declared that he had honoured the popular musician with a residential stand.Towards the end of that month he did the same to Zakaria, Sugar Sugar and Papa Tongo when they jointly launched their albums.For the musicians, this was the best ending to the year 2010 and the impression was that they would be shown their stands as soon as they got in touch with Chiyangwa’s property company, Pinnacle Holdings.Happily, the musicians followed instructions and were made to sign some ‘agreement forms’ at Pinnacle Holdings and told return to later for the final transactions.According to the musicians, further follow-ups on the issue did not yield anything.Zakaria says he has stopped calling Pinnacle Holdings lest he is labelled a nuisance.“I have called their offices several times but I am always told to be patient. “I have not phoned them of late because it would appear as if I am troubling them. “I will call next week and check, maybe I will have a final answer then,” he said.“But I believe everything will work out because I signed some forms at their company and I am only to be shown the stand and get title deeds.”Sugar Sugar said his promoter had contacted Chiyangwa on several occasions but the issue was still hanging in uncertainty.“My promoter, Mai Charehwa, has phoned him and his offices and we have been told that the issue is being processed. “I am not sure how we will proceed,” Sugar Sugar said.“I signed some papers but I am still waiting to be shown the stand. “The problem is that when we contacted Pinnacle Holdings we were told that Chiyangwa had the papers but Mr Chiyangwa says everything should be processed at Pinnacle.”Sulumani was a bit cagey on the issue saying that he had been too busy to make a follow up.“The last time I phoned their offices I was told that things would easily be sorted out but I have been very busy and I am still to check on their progress,” he said.“But I understand everything is in order and I will have to go and check when I get time. I will do that very soon.”Contacted for comment on the issue, Chiyangwa fumed and asked why this reporter was interested in the issue.“Are you a band manager or agent? Why are you asking me about that issue? “I do not operate through The Standard and I will sue you if you publish a malicious story,” threatened Chiyangwa.“You do not have any business in this because I did not even see you when I made those presentations to the musicians. “We have agreements with the musicians and this is completely none of your business.”But Pinnacle Holdings director Simba Mashanga phoned later to give a “decent” clarification.“That issue of stands is under control. “The musicians will be shown their stands as soon as they come to our offices, even now or tomorrow. “We will just instruct our lawyer to do the transactions and there will be no problem at all. “The stands are readily available,” Mashanga said.