Mambo Dhuterere Clears the Air After Police Name Robbery Suspect With His Stage Name
Zimbabwean gospel musician Mambo Dhuterere has found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy after police named a robbery suspect using the same stage name as the popular singer. The musician, whose real name is Darlington Mutseta, has moved to distance himself from the allegations after reports circulated that a person known as Mambo Dhuterere was among several suspects wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies. The confusion followed a police notice concerning an alleged US$108,000 robbery in Ruwa, which listed several people who were still at large. Zimbabwe Republic Police officials have since clarified that the individual being sought is not the well-known gospel musician. The clarification has helped separate the singer from the criminal investigation, although the unusual coincidence has attracted significant public attention.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the person wanted in connection with the robbery was using the name Mambo Dhuterere but was not the musician. His clarification came after the singer’s stage name appeared in connection with a serious criminal investigation involving armed robberies in different parts of Zimbabwe. The police statement reportedly caused confusion because Mambo Dhuterere is a recognisable figure in Zimbabwe’s gospel music scene. Mutseta responded to the situation with humour rather than allowing the speculation to dominate his public image. In a Facebook post, he joked that the repeated use of his name by another person could force him to consider changing his stage name.
The musician’s humorous response reflected the unusual nature of the situation, particularly because the name Mambo Dhuterere has become closely associated with his music career. In his post, he wrote, “Mmmmm rawandirwa zita, rakuda kuchinjwa iri. Kwanana Mambo Dhuterere vehumbavha futi,” which loosely translates to saying that there are now too many people using the name and that it may need to be changed because there are even Mambo Dhutereres involved in crime. The comment appeared to address the confusion directly while making it clear that he was not referring to himself as one of the wanted suspects. The police clarification also confirmed that the criminal suspect and the gospel singer are different people. This distinction remains important because being mentioned in a police notice does not automatically mean that the musician was involved in the alleged crimes.
Mutseta was also seen attending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday celebrations in Mvurwi on Tuesday, September 15, as the police notice naming the suspects was circulating. His appearance at the event added to the public discussion surrounding the unusual case. September 15 was declared an annual public holiday known as Munhumutapa Day through Statutory Instrument 148 of 2026, coinciding with Mnangagwa’s birthday celebrations. However, the musician’s public appearance should not be treated as evidence relating to the police investigation. The key point remains that the police spokesperson specifically stated that the wanted person using the name Mambo Dhuterere is a criminal who is not the gospel musician. At the time of the reports, police had not publicly identified the suspect by another name.
The wider criminal investigation involves a number of alleged armed robberies in Zimbabwe, with police announcing the arrest of three men. The individuals identified were 47-year-old Tinei Makaripe, Pungurayi Mukumbachaza and 41-year-old Gabriel Mukambachaza. Police also named several alleged accomplices who remained at large, including people identified as Khule Diva, Mambo Dhuterere, Kasongo and Senior Gama. Investigators allege that the group was involved in robberies in Ruwa, Rusape and Harare. The allegations remain part of an ongoing investigation, with police continuing their efforts to locate the outstanding suspects.
The Ruwa robbery that brought the case into the spotlight allegedly took place at a company in Borders Estate at around 12.30am on September 13. According to police information, armed robbers allegedly attacked and restrained workers before escaping with US$108,000 in cash. Makaripe was reportedly caught by employees after he fell while trying to climb over the company’s perimeter wall during the escape. Police later arrested Pungurayi Mukumbachaza in Damofalls Phase 1 in Harare, where investigators allegedly found US$4,900 hidden inside his vehicle. Gabriel Mukambachaza was subsequently arrested at his rural home in Rusape, where police said they recovered US$5,000, two pistols, ammunition, handcuffs, fuse cables, explosives and three balaclavas.
Investigators have also linked the arrested suspects to other alleged robberies, increasing the scope of the case beyond the Ruwa incident. Police allege that a Tokarev pistol recovered during the arrests had been stolen from a steel company in Southerton, Harare, during an armed robbery on March 12. The suspects are also being linked to an alleged January 26 robbery at a beverages company in Rusape, where approximately US$39,828 was reportedly stolen along with a loaded Star pistol, pepper spray, handcuffs and three mobile phones. Another alleged robbery at a steel company along Tilbury Road in Southerton reportedly resulted in the theft of US$14,118 on March 12. The three specifically detailed robberies involved at least US$161,946, although police indicated that their investigations were continuing and that further cases could be connected to the suspects.
The confusion surrounding the Mambo Dhuterere name highlights how easily a public figure can become associated with allegations when another person uses the same name. For the gospel musician, the situation has created an unusual moment in which his stage identity appeared in a police notice despite authorities confirming that he was not the person being sought. His decision to respond publicly allowed him to address the speculation while maintaining a light-hearted tone. The police clarification provides an important distinction between the musician and the individual named in connection with the robbery investigation. Until investigators provide further information about the suspect’s identity, the two individuals should not be treated as the same person.
The robbery investigation comes as Zimbabwean police also deal with another serious and unrelated case in Bulawayo. Businessman Tadius Rutanhire, 52, was allegedly shot near a service station along JMN Nkomo Street on September 14. Police said three unidentified attackers fled from the scene with a bag containing US$10,000. No arrests had been announced in connection with that incident at the time of the report. The Bulawayo case is separate from the robberies involving the individuals named in the Ruwa investigation and should not be linked to the Mambo Dhuterere name confusion. Police investigations into both cases remain ongoing.
For Mambo Dhuterere, the police clarification is significant because the allegations concern serious armed robbery offences that could otherwise have caused substantial damage to his public reputation. The singer has clearly stated through his response that the person referenced in the police notice is not him, while the national police spokesperson has independently confirmed the same point. The investigation into the alleged robberies will now continue as authorities search for the remaining suspects and examine possible links to earlier cases. At the same time, the unusual sharing of a stage name has demonstrated why names appearing in police reports must be considered carefully and in context. For now, the popular gospel musician has been separated from the criminal investigation, while police continue pursuing the individuals they believe are connected to the alleged robberies.
