Musician Chillmaster's breakthrough hit titled Horror, which eerily spoke of battling solitary struggles from youth and relying solely on prayer for divine intervention, has chillingly manifested in his own life.
The artist, who garnered fame and a National Arts and Merit Awards gong for the track, now faces a real-life horror.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chillmaster, born Gift Hombarume, was involved in a car accident in Harare's Hopely suburb that tragically claimed the life of a pedestrian.
He now faces culpable homicide charges, a stark and unforeseen “horror” contrasting sharply with the metaphorical battles depicted in his hit song.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Chillmaster shared the devastating news that he had accidentally struck and killed a pedestrian while driving, expressing profound grief over the tragic loss.
“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I address you today. Earlier today, I was involved in a devastating car accident that resulted in the loss of a precious life. Words cannot express the depth of my grief, remorse, and sympathy for the individual who passed away, their family, and loved ones,” Chillmaster said.
The musician revealed that he is working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police as investigations continue.
“I am fully cooperating with authorities on this tragedy, and I will continue to do so transparently. Right now, my focus is on respecting the privacy of the grieving family and supporting them in any way possible during this unimaginably difficult time,” he added.
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Accepting complete accountability for the tragic accident, Chillmaster made it clear that no excuse could suffice.
He sincerely apologised to his supporters and the victim's family, though he understood that forgiveness might not be forthcoming.
“There is no justification for the pain this has caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and will carry the weight of this loss with me for the rest of my life. I ask for forgiveness, though I understand it may never come, and I vow to honor the memory of the life lost through reflection, accountability, and actions that align with the gravity of this moment,” Chillmaster said.
Chillmaster's involvement in a fatal car accident involving a pedestrian places him among a number of other Zimbabwean celebrities and musicians who have experienced similar tragedies.
Dudu Manhenga, an Afro-jazz musician, was convicted of culpable homicide and driving with a learner's licence without supervision after a 2010 accident where a motorcyclist was killed.
She was sentenced to an effective 18-month jail term.
Rapper Stunner was involved in a fatal car accident in 2016 that injured two pedestrians and damaged property.
He was later found guilty of criminal offences including driving without a license and reckless driving.
In 2014, then Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Sweden Stephen Cletus Chiketa’s son, Chitarisiro, popularly known as MC Chita, fatally knocked down Jehovah’s Witness preachers in a suspected drinking and driving incident in Harare.
MC Chita, was in the company of an unidentified friend when he was driving a Honda CRV with registration number ACS 9759.
The duo was reportedly on their way to town where they wanted to buy whisky when the vehicle veered off the road, overturned and hit two Jehovah’s Witnesses Church preachers identified as Rhoda Bwanaisa (56) and Melita Mangazi along Samora Machel Avenue near Waterwhirld in Eastlea at around 7am.
The then police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the accident.
