Singer fakes death for publicity

Published: 2013 August 18 22:35:32 (6210 Views)

Controversial Zimbabwean musician Lady Squanda faked her own death, nearly killing her 75-year-old grandmother Eunice Tomana with shock.

The self-proclaimed dancehall queen Lady Squanda, real name Sandra Muchaneta Gazi last week faked her own death as a way of marketing her forthcoming song Rufu RwaSquanda.

A Whatsapp message from her mobile phone indicated she had died.

"Lady Squander was found dead yesterday after she drank rat poison. May her soul Rest in Peace, we love you girl," read the message delivered to most of her contacts.

Some relatives, music promoters and musicians rushed to her place in Chitungwiza and the family was in a state of shock as they failed to locate her.

Her mobile phone had been switched off as people gathered to pay their condolences.

A female voice that answered her phone when it was switched on apparently confirmed Lady Squanda had died adding relatives were at Chitungwiza hospital processing a burial order.

"People have gone to the hospital to arrange burial papers, but arrangements will be made today," said the voice.

Lady Squanda stays with her grandparents and one of the family elders said they were shocked to hear the news before realising that she was at her friend's house in Manyame Park.

"What surprised me is that the message had spread to some relatives who had gathered here convinced she had died. We later realised she was well in Manyame Park after calling her friend," her grandmother who identified herself as Anna said.

Another Dancehall musician Freeman said he was shocked to receive the message before he went to Chitungwiza.

"I saw the message and rushed to Chitungwiza only to discover she was alive," said Freeman.

Lady Squanda's ex-husband DJ Staera said he also panicked at hearing the news.

"When I tried to confirm the death I was told she was unconscious at Chitungwiza Central Hospital and I almost went there," said DJ Staera.

"I then called her grandmother and she told me Squanda was playing games and was alive at a friend's house. She has been acting awkward over the last few days."

A local promoter Jekie Dzambatsa said he was shocked to hear the news on Thursday early in the morning.

Another version claims Lady Squanda was cohabiting with her ex-husband DJ Staera in Waterfalls suburb, and their mobile phones were unreachable.

The 21-year-old artiste used her sister to falsely communicate her own death.

When asked, she apparently revealed faking her own death was a marketing gimmick.

"I was sleeping then I imagined what will happen if I die, the whole confusion surrounding my death, journalists and police officers running up and down trying to establish the cause of my death, my grandmother mourning me and so forth.

"I then decided to put the picture in reality and I am happy that is exactly what happened ... journalists running up and down, my grandmother and other close relatives mourning," she said.

Lady Squanda said the unfolding of the drama led her to compose a song Rufu RwaSquanda which will be released soon.

"Nhamba iroro rakatokora and richakonzeresa kupfura zvaraita... ndiyo inonzi creativity iyoyo ... (The hit song is massive and will make waves and confuse the society more than what my pseudo death has done. That is what I call creativity)," boasted Lady Squanda.

Her manager Hillary Mutake said he was equally disappointed by Lady Squanda's behaviour.

"I am assisting Squanda to be a professional artiste but this is not expected in our society, I am totally against her tricks," said the PunchLine Entertainment director.

This is not the first time the mother-of-one has courted controversy. She was apparently embroiled in a dispute over cellphones she was asked to take back to Zimbabwe after a UK show.

Instead of handing the phones to the relatives, she delayed and was reportedly rude.

- MyZim/Bulawayo24