Zimbabwean band Mokoomba injured in car crash

Bass guitarist Abundance Mutori, drummer Costa Moyo and lead singer Mathias Muzaza were travelling towards Harare’s city centre in the afternoon when their car was hit on the side by another vehicle at the intersection of Robert Mugabe Road and Enterprise Road. They were rushed to West End Hospital, where they were treated and later discharged.

Mokoomba's manager Marcus Gora said the three were going for an afternoon rehearsal in the city centre ahead of the Book Café pop-up gig that took place at New Ambassador Hotel. They were supposed to share the stage with Jam Signal. Transit Crew were called in to replace the Victoria Falls-based group at the show. The ‘pop-up’ gig was in honour of the popular live venue The Book Café, which was forced to shut down earlier this year

The band will break for a week to give the three members time to rest.

The band announced the unfortunate incident through a Facebook post: “Dear friends. Many thanks to all who came to the Book Cafe pop up gig, it was a resounding success. Thanks to the Book Café team and all the bands and artistes who brought the spirit of the Book Café alive again. Unfortunately, Mokoomba could not be a part of it because three of our band members were involved in a terrible car accident on the intersection of Robert Mugabe Road and Enterprise Road and had to be rushed to West End Hospital where they were all treated and discharged to recover at home. Thank you for all the kind support, we will take a week’s break and announce next concerts soon,” reads the statement.

The band had earlier performed on Thursday 5 November at Pabloz Club & VIP in Harare. Gora told The Herald that their weekend looked bright following a good act at a private function on Friday. “We had a good performance at a private function on Friday and the show was a morale booster ahead of the Saturday gig.”

“We are doing intense rehearsals for our upcoming projects and the guys were coming for the rehearsals when the accident occurred. We were looking forward to a spirited performance that night.

“We thank God that there were no serious injuries and we did not lose the instruments they were carrying. We hope to be back on stage next week,” added Gora.

Music In Africa wishes the injured band members a speedy recovery.