Exclusive: Tuku reveals HIV status on Zimgreats.com

(Reporter7.com 2007-07-16) After years of rumour mongering and speculation about the state of his health, Oliver Mtukudzi has finally revealed his HIV status. In an exclusive interview in South Africa, Oliver Mtukudzi finally let the cat out of the bag...

In a rare interview with a South African paper, the frail looking Oliver Mtukudzi who many had been suspecting had contrated the deadly HIV said: "I don't have AIDS. Most people have been spreading these silly rumours."

This is the first insight into Tuku's personal life, dogged by his alleged affair with band member and employee, the late Mwendi Chibindi. Chibindi who died a few years ago is believed to have succumbed to the disease. Mtukudzi is mentioned in Mwendi's diaries which he gagged with a court order when they were about to be serialised by a ZImbabwean newspaper a few years ago.

"I was the first artist to compose a song about AIDS back in the early 90s. That is why I have a song called Stay With One Woman," added Tuku.
"I am happily married. In fact, my wife and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary...."
Oliver Mtukudzi is married to Daisy, with kids, Selma and Sam. He has other kids from different women.

For more on this story, go to www.zimgreats.com