She is wrecked after an intruder entered her home and took what she worked so hard for. The six South African Music Award trophies which stood on a Z-shaped stand in her home bar were her pride and joy.
Loliwe singer Bulelwa “Zahara” Mkutukana (34) tells Drum that whoever invaded her home and stole the awards needs to be punished and she wants her trophies back.
“I don’t care even if the person leaves them at my gate. I want those awards back,” she says.
The incident happened while Zahara was away for the Easter weekend.
“I left her home on the weekend of Easter and returned on Thursday 21 April,” she says, only to find that her customized stand which holds her engraved and gold-plated awards was empty was bare. “There was no break-in at the house. Everything was exactly where I found it. The thief did not take anything else besides the six SAMAs and I want them back.”
Zahara says her gardener, who has been working for her since she moved into her home 10 years ago, says he found the door slightly opened and he closed it but did not enter the main house.
“He came to do the garden while I was away. He says he saw the door not properly closed and pushed it and closed it. He says he never went into the house, and I don’t see how he could have done so when all doors were locked,” she says.
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The South African Music Awards spokesperson Lesley Mofokengs says, “The SAMAs are saddened by the break-in at Zahara’s house, and we wish her well at this time and that the perpetrators are brought to book,” he says.
“We know what those SAMAS meant to her, and we are proud to be associated with an artist of her calibre. It is quite upsetting that crime has reached this level and people are taking trophies that means mean so much to the artists. The trophy is a symbol of her hard work, and we truly wish the trophies are returned and preparators brought to book.”
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Having lived in the same estate for over 10 years, Zahara says she has never had a break-in or suspects anyone.
“The complex is very safe. I have days where I have slept with the doors open or left the windows not closed. I know, there are a few people who do not like me in the complex. They have done some strange things in the past, but I don’t want to believe that they would go as far as to get into my premises and take my pride and joy.”
In 2020, Zahara had a fall out with one of her neighbours who reported her for breaking lockdown level 3 rules by allegedly hosting several guests at her home.
“The same neighbour installed cameras facing my house which was an invasion of privacy. I reported the matter, and the cameras were fixed. I’m not saying it's him. But I am saying there was no break-in at the complex. He has never liked me, and he has never been happy with my presence on the estate. I’m not going anywhere and that needs to sink in.”
Zahara says those close to her know she is welcoming but when she is not home, no guests are allowed in her home.
“I love having guests over. My home is where I make music and meet a lot of people. The security at the main gate is tight, no one reported a break-in, and my house was clearly a target, and the people in the complex need to answer. They have given me footage of 48 hours showing only my gardener going into the gate and nothing else.”
Zahara has opened a case with the Honeydew police station who have taken a statement and are investigating the matter and Drum has seen the statement confirming the theft.
