Winky D accused of swindling a UK promoter $7000

Winky D

Zimdancehall sensation Winky D is at loggerheads with promoter Luther Pazvakavambwa of Digital One Promotions, who is accusing the musician of fraud after he failed to perform in the United Kingdom despite getting paid for the tour.

Winky D was supposed to have shared stage with Soul Jah Love, Tocky Vibes, Shinsoman and Trevor D among other artistes in London, Birmingham and Manchester from May 1 to 3.

Winky D, who allegedly received a whopping $7 000, which he had charged for the performance, failed to join other musicians for the tour.

In an interview with The Herald Entertainment, Pazvakavambwa said they paid Winky D $7 000 he charged in instalments, the first half having been paid in November last year and the other half a week before the tour.

“Winky charged us $7 000 for three shows and he wanted half the amount as deposit and that was paid last year in November. He demanded the other half when his work permit and visa were processed and that was paid a week before the show,” he said.

He said Winky D also wanted five air tickets for his band members to travel to the UK which he claimed he bought but the musician and his crew said they missed their initial flight.

“They wanted five air tickets to travel to the UK. I bought the tickets and they missed their flight. I bought another set of tickets and he refused to travel saying they could not travel separately.

“He was booked in a flight with other artistes on Kenyan Airways and his band was supposed to be in another flight but they did not honour our contract and did not travel,” he said.

Pazvakavambwa, who is threatening to take legal action, said he made a loss of $27 000 because Winky D and his band failed to turn up for the tour.

“The loss that I incurred is over $27 000 and that won’t go alone. I will take legal action. It is worse because they gave me names of people who were not on their band at first and the work permit agent found out that it was fake and did not issue the work permits. I had to pay again for another group that they had since the first group proved to be fake. They were not sincere and they also failed to travel for the tour after everything had been done,” he said.

Winky D manager Jonathan Banda admitted getting the money but could not give details.

“If they have issues they have to approach us not the Press. If they are saying we are defrauding them then they should approach the police and we are waiting,” he said.

“Although we got the money, I said he should approach the police and we take it from there.” Herald