The Rastafarian movement in Zimbabwe has castigated popular Zimbabwean dancehall artist Wallace Chirimuko, better known as Winky D, labelling him as an outsider in the Rastafarian movement.

Though he has wowed fans with his ecstatic dancehall tunes, the movement has distanced itself from the “Takaita Takaipa” hit maker.

Marondera-based Ras Tafari movement’s high priest and founder-member of Cherutombo Ras Tafari house, Alexander Munyukwi, said the 29-year-old Winky D’s recent performance at the Big Brother Africa (BBA)’s eviction show sets a wrong precedence as he was bragging that he was a true rastaman.

The Kambuzuma-born star self-dubbed “Lionel Messi of reggae” was the main act on eviction night on July 22. “We do not expect a true ‘rastaman’ to make guest appearance at reality shows? The holy ones of Mount Zion cannot afford to sacrifice their morals for the greenback.”

Some conservative Christians have been criticising the television reality show on moral grounds.
Munyukwi said that Rastafarians ought not be preaching violence. “Our religion is characterised by messages of hope, peace, love and harmony. But if one listens to Winky D one is left wondering which teaching he is propagating,” elaborated Munyuki. “Rastas are humble and follow the commandments as dictated by books of Rastafarians,” he added. 

Glen Norah-based Ras Tafari Shumba labelled Winky D as a “stray sheep.” “Jah light has not yet revealed itself to the sheep that comes uninvited to the shrine of the Most High. His messages are parallel to what we preach.” said Ras Shumba.

“Winky D is no ‘rastaman,’ but me say he’s a ninja, always faning violence. Violence has no place in our religion. He is just a man who has lock (dread) as a fashion, and he is nothing. He is preaching violence to our youths. There is nothing our people can learn from his music other than violence,” he said in a Patois dialect.

Asked for comment, Winky D’s manager, Jonathan Banda, rubbished the accusations as mere sentiments arising from jealousy. “Whether Winky D is a Rastaman or a ninja is something else. Those accusations are coming from people who are jealous of the youngster’s ever-rising popularity. He is an undisputed dancehall king in Zimbabwe. Fans do not call him Di Bigman for nothing,” said Banda.

Some music lovers and Christians have openly criticised the two-time NAMA winner and 2010 People’s Choice winner for preaching violence in songs like “Rokesheni” and “Haukona Kutamba Nemaninja,” as these songs are laced with violence-inciting lyrics.