Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Rapper Holy Ten has announced that he has checked into a rehabilitation programme, admitting to a long-standing battle with alcohol while denying recent claims of drug use.
In a statement on Wednesday, the 26-year-old musician, whose real name is Mukudzei Chitsama, said he had decided to seek professional help to tackle his drinking problem. He wrote:
“I have decided to go and check myself into a rehabilitation centre, one of the best in the world, to show the youth that this is your way if this is your problem.
“Rehab is a very difficult decision, especially when you know you’re not using what they say you’re using.
“I’ve always just avoided it because that’s a place where I know the junkies go. As a man that drank a lot of alcohol, but still had the ability to make proper decisions the next morning…
“I thought I could just conquer it easily. But the same alcohol has destroyed others before – their health, their families, their talents and their lives. So I’ve made this bold decision to get professional help.”
According to ZimLive, the rapper is receiving treatment at a rehabilitation facility in South Africa.
The programme is reportedly being funded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Collins, following a request for help from Holy Ten’s mother and wife.
Holy Ten, who has been at the centre of speculation over his recent erratic behaviour, admitted that his outbursts had caused hurt.
Among these was an extraordinary Instagram attack on President Mnangagwa, whom he accused of “leading a terrorist organisation,” in reference to ZANU-PF.
The singer also targeted Mnangagwa’s sons, Collins and Sean, claiming they had withdrawn gifts previously given to him for campaigning for ZANU-PF in 2023.
He has since retracted these allegations, insisting that he retains the title deeds to the house he had claimed was being repossessed. He said:
“I remain apologetic for everything I said. Please forgive me, Zimbabwe, please forgive me, my Commander-in-Chief, my president, my brothers (Sean and Collins), my mother who is in a state of pain and disbelief, my wife who has been watching all this happening and trying to help me and our political party.”
Holy Ten’s wife, Kimberly Richards, reportedly left their Arlington home in Harare “for her own safety,” according to a friend.
The rapper has maintained that he still sees himself as “the leader of the youth”, but acknowledged the need to rediscover “the direction they need to be led in. The right one. I’m not going to inspire a nation of alcoholics.”
The decision to enter rehabilitation follows mounting concern from family and close associates, some of whom privately urged him to undergo detox after describing him as violent, abusive, and in declining health.
Friends have revealed that Holy Ten has recently received treatment for pancreatitis and high blood pressure, expressing fears that his heavy drinking was putting his life at serious risk.
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