Zimdancehall chanter Hulengende and his wife, Malloti Rose, have been arrested shortly after performing at the Harare edition of Doek and Slay.
The popular couple was arrested following their performance at Glamis Arena on Sunday, 16 August 2026. Their arrest comes amid mounting complaints from promoters who accuse them of failing to honour performance agreements.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest remain developing. Police have not yet disclosed the charges, the complainant’s identity or where the musicians are being held.
However, the arrest has immediately renewed attention on a series of disputes involving performance deposits, missed shows and late appearances.
Promoters raise concerns over missed shows
Just days before their arrest, promoters, venue operators and entertainment industry stakeholders publicly criticised Hulengende and Malloti over their alleged conduct.
H-Metro reported that the couple had allegedly failed to attend several booked performances after receiving deposits. In other cases, they allegedly arrived late, leaving promoters to manage disappointed and sometimes angry crowds.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at Dhana Leisure Centre in Mutoko on 10 August 2026.
A promoter had booked Hulengende and Malloti to perform at the venue. Management said it received assurances that all arrangements had been finalised before the event.
However, the couple did not arrive for the scheduled performance.
Angry fans subsequently vandalised the venue. According to management, windows were shattered, stock was looted and several cars were damaged. The crowd also damaged the stage during the chaos.
Dhana Leisure Centre manager Shepherd Maeni said the destruction left the venue facing a costly restoration project. Initial estimates suggested that repairs could cost at least US$40,000.
The damage was caused by angry fans rather than Hulengende and Malloti. Nevertheless, the incident demonstrated how missed performances can create serious financial and security problems for promoters and venue owners.
Maeni said the venue had assisted the promoter with logistics after being informed that everything was in order. However, the situation became uncontrollable when fans realised the musicians would not appear.
Calls for musicians to respect contracts
The growing number of complaints has prompted calls for stronger protection for promoters, fans and venue operators.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe spokesperson Agga Nyabinde urged musicians to treat their careers professionally and fulfil their contractual obligations.
According to Nyabinde, artists must take their work seriously if they want to remain relevant and build sustainable careers.
Some entertainment stakeholders have called for performers who repeatedly miss shows to face tougher consequences. Others have suggested temporarily banning Hulengende and Malloti from performing, although no official ban has been announced.
Promoters usually spend significant amounts of money before an artist reaches the stage. Their expenses can include deposits, advertising, transport, accommodation, sound equipment, security and venue hire.
Therefore, when an artist fails to appear, the promoter may lose considerably more than the original performance fee. Furthermore, disappointed fans often direct their anger at the promoter or venue rather than the absent performer.
UK promoters also faced a dispute
Complaints involving Hulengende and Malloti have not been limited to Zimbabwe.
Earlier in 2026, Malloti withdrew from the United Kingdom-based Y2K SAMA Festival following criticism over comments she made about Zimbabwean nurse aides working abroad.
Festival organisers requested an apology. Instead, Malloti announced that she would no longer perform and said she would not refund a US$1,650 security deposit.
Hulengende also withdrew from the event in solidarity with his wife. However, he indicated that he was prepared to return his portion of the deposit.
Promoters elsewhere in the region have reportedly faced similar problems and suffered financial losses connected to the couple’s bookings. The full details of those disputes, including the amounts involved and contractual terms, have not been publicly disclosed.
Arrest turns attention back to promoter complaints
Hulengende, whose full name is Ezbornwage Chidamajaya, and Malloti have built a large following through their music and outspoken social media presence.
Their relationship has also become part of their public brand. The two regularly perform together and share details of their lives with followers online.
Their appearance at Doek and Slay attracted attention because the event brought together major names from Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry. However, news of their arrest shortly after their performance quickly overshadowed the festivities.
Neither Hulengende nor Malloti had released a statement addressing the arrest at the time of publication. Their management had also not publicly responded to the allegations raised by promoters.
Police are expected to provide further details about the complaint and any charges the musicians may face. A court appearance could also clarify whether the arrest is directly connected to a performance agreement, an unpaid refund or another matter.
Until those details emerge, the promoter disputes remain allegations that must be supported by contracts, payment records and other evidence.
Nevertheless, the arrest marks a dramatic development for one of Zimbabwe’s most talked-about entertainment couples. It could also intensify calls for clearer contracts and greater accountability within the country’s live music industry.
Source: H Metro
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