“I Suspect Someone Is Benefitting From His Illness”: Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria’s Relatives Under Fire
Relatives of veteran sungura star Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria are facing growing criticism amid claims that they may be using his illness to drum up financial sympathy from the public.
Zakaria, who has reportedly been struggling with diabetes, hypertension, and painful muscle cramps, has been unable to perform regularly in recent months. His wife first spoke publicly about his health issues last year, and it seems his condition has worsened, leaving the family battling to keep things afloat.
Doctor Casts Doubt on Family’s Public Appeals
But not everyone is buying the narrative being shared on social media.
A well-known medical professional who spoke to H-Metro questioned whether Zakaria’s health is truly as dire as his relatives suggest—and whether the public fundraising is justified.
The doctor argued that if Zakaria’s diabetes is still at an early stage, his medication would only cost around US$30–US$40 a month, an amount the family should easily afford.
And even if things have worsened, treatment would still cost no more than US$70–US$100 a month. On top of that, the doctor said Zakaria could access free medication from local clinics due to his age.
“Why Is He Being Paraded Online?”
The doctor made it clear: if Zakaria had been receiving proper treatment, his condition would be manageable. Instead, what we’re seeing is frequent videos and posts that seem designed to attract pity and money.
He criticised the family for choosing public sympathy over transparency, saying the whole situation raises questions.
“Madzibaba must approach this matter seriously; his health is at stake, and this is a life-or-death issue,” the practitioner stressed. He needs to clarify his treatment plan and follow medical advice consistently. Diabetes and hypertension are not new; many live with these conditions when treated properly.”
The practitioner also condemned how Zakaria is being portrayed online. He said it’s one thing to ask for help, but quite another to make it seem like the musician is completely destitute.
He questioned why the family isn’t doing more privately before turning to the public, and suggested there may be other motives at play.
“It’s unfortunate that Madzibaba is unwell, but the level of public begging is alarming. Some of the requests being made on his behalf portray him as impoverished, yet we know the family is capable of helping him before going public. I suspect someone is profiting from this illness. There is a pattern of behaviour that needs to be addressed. The family must come together to restore dignity to the situation and avoid further public embarrassment.”
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The post “I Suspect Someone Is Benefitting From His Illness”: Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria’s Relatives Under Fire appeared first on iHarare News.
