Annie Matumbi’s UK tour in limbo due to some UK visa challenges

* His Visa application seems to have been highjacked by what he discovered to have been some dubious immigration consultant that he trusted to handle his Visa and travel arrangements

By Duncan Mlanjira

Popular performing artist, Annie Matumbi’s tour to the United Kingdom (UK) to entertain Malawian in the diaspora to celebrate Malawi’s Independence Bash, is in limbo as he is facing some UK Visa challenges.

Sources have indicated to Maravi Express that the popular Dancehall king, Annie Matumbi, will not be able to perform in UK for the Independence Bash as his Visa application seems to have been highjacked by what he discovered to have been “some dubious immigration consultant” that he trusted to handle his Visa and travel arrangements.

According to our sources, Matumbi — real name Chiyanjano Muheziwa — indicate that when the prominent artist discovered of the scam after his Visa was rejected by the British High Commission’s office in Lilongwe because of the dubious immigration consultant, he reported the matter to Malawi Police in Lilongwe.

When contacted, Matumbi refused to comment on the matter as he was trying to rectify the matter, but his manager, Mike Mwase only indicated that the artist was unlikely to travel to the UK as he was sorting out logistical issues.

What Maravi Express has learnt is that Annie Matumbi first engaged the High Commission for the Visa last March before proceeding to his first application in April that led to its refusal in May — which he later discovered he had been duped by the the dubious immigration consultant.

This is a huge blow to Malawian music fans in the UK with Nicholas Thindwa saying the raggae dancehall artist’s failure to travel for his much-anticipated performance has been received with great disappointment.

“We Malawians in the diaspora have been treated to special performances before by performing artists that include the country’s greatest star, Lucius ‘Soldier’ Banda and  several others.

“Soldier entertained us last year and we expected much more fun in celebrating our Independence Day, which we observe every year,” Thindwa said.

In collaboration with the Office of the Malawi High Commission in UK, the Malawi UK Association (MAUK) observe the country’s Independence Day celebration and last year, the legendary Soldier Lucius Banda was invited in his official capacity as presidential advisor on culture to perform alongside Wendy Harawa.

Wendy, the acclaimed Malawian gospel artist, also performed with Lucius Banda’s Zembani Band.

Annie Matumbi has released several successful singles and albums, including ‘Marshup’, ‘Free Major 1’ and ‘Malawi Must Be Saved’, whose music has resonated with audiences, making him a household name in Malawi.

Apart from being a musician, Annie Matumbi is also a TV presenter hosting various shows and events, which has helped him build a strong on-screen presence and connect with a broader audience — and he also appeared in the Malawian movie production ‘Julie and Vivian’.