South Africa — In a jaw-dropping twist that has sent shockwaves through the Zimdancehall community, controversial chanter Platinum Prince — real name Ian Makiwa — was viciously assaulted by an angry mob after allegedly being caught red-handed trying to hijack a diesel tanker with an accomplice.
Witnesses say chaos erupted when members of the public intercepted the alleged hijack attempt, dragging the Hazviite hitmaker from the scene and delivering a beating that left him unrecognizable. Videos and photos of the aftermath are already flooding social media, with fans in disbelief and critics saying they “saw it coming.”
Platinum Prince, born and raised in Bindura, rose to fame with his breakout track on the Bodyslam Riddim. But fame has been anything but smooth — from his politically charged 2015 hit Baba vaBona that landed him in hot water with Mugabe’s regime, to a 2019 abduction and assault allegedly linked to his bold lyrics.
Now, this shocking incident is being compared to the downfall of other struggling Zimbabwean musicians. Recently, veteran singer Paradzai Mesi made headlines after being accused of breaking into a tuckshop for groceries — a charge later dropped.
Analysts say the recurring scandals in the arts scene reflect Zimbabwe’s brutal economic collapse, where even celebrated musicians are forced into desperate situations due to unpaid performances, dwindling show bookings, and the public’s lack of spending power.
Social media is now ablaze with one question:
Is Platinum Prince’s career officially over — or will this controversy make him more infamous than ever?
