By Nelson Bhebhe,Sekai Moyo

Copyright myzimbabwe

Zimdancehall artist Ras Pompy, whose real name is Nyasha Reginald Mano, is set to swap his microphone for prison bars after being convicted of unlawfully possessing cough syrups. The 24-year-old musician was handed a six-month jail term by Harare magistrate Gamuchirai Gore, following a dramatic chase that ended in a crash.

This isn’t the first time Ras Pompy has found himself embroiled in controversy. In September 2024, his name was dragged into a sensational attempted murder case involving a love triangle with his friend’s mother. Now, the latest incident has cemented his reputation as a figure as notorious off-stage as he is popular on it.

According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), on 16 July 2025, detectives identified Ras Pompy driving a black Honda Fit “known to supply drugs in the greater Harare area.” The NPAZ statement detailed how “the vehicle was signaled to pull over but sped off into a residential area, leading to a high-speed chase.”

The pursuit ended abruptly when the musician’s vehicle collided with a metal pole. Detectives swiftly apprehended Ras Pompy at the scene. A search of the vehicle uncovered a black bag containing a substantial quantity of restricted cough syrups: 24 bottles of Broncleer, 20 bottles of Benylin, and 55 bottles of Astra Pain cough syrup. The total street value of the haul was estimated at US$396.

“The offender was sentenced to an effective six months prison term,” the NPAZ statement confirmed, adding that Ras Pompy’s case should serve as a deterrent to other potential offenders. “Drug abuse and illegal trafficking are destroying lives and communities across Zimbabwe. Cases like this highlight the serious consequences of choosing the drug trade over honest living,” the statement read.

Fans of the Zimdancehall star will now have to wait at least six months before hearing his trademark sound again. This time, the only bars he’ll be dropping are the ones in his jail cell.

This latest incident brings back memories of a scandalous case that unfolded in the Harare Magistrates’ Court in September 2024. Wesley Eroyi Shoniwa, a young man from Mbare, stood accused of attempted murder, with the alleged motive being a love triangle involving his mother and Ras Pompy.

Shoniwa appeared before magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, facing serious charges. The state alleged that he stabbed his uncle – his mother’s brother – on the shoulder with a knife. The prosecution claimed the attack was triggered by the uncle’s attempt to intervene in a heated argument between Shoniwa and his mother. Shoniwa was accused of verbally abusing his mother, driven by anger over her alleged affair with Ras Pompy.

The courtroom was filled with tension as Shoniwa, when asked if he understood the charges, vehemently denied the state’s version of events. He insisted the situation was far more complex, a “tangled web of family drama and betrayal.”

“We are here because my mother is sleeping with Ras Pompy,” Shoniwa declared, dropping a bombshell in the court. “How can she sleep with someone of my age when she can easily find someone her age to sleep with?”

The revelation of a romantic relationship between Ras Pompy, a prominent figure in the Zimdancehall scene, and Shoniwa’s mother – a woman significantly older than the musician – stunned the court. Shoniwa claimed everyone in his neighbourhood had been mocking him over the affair.

“Everyone in the neighbourhood has been laughing at me over this issue. Her boyfriend is my friend, and he’s way younger than my mother. So when my uncle asked me about it, taking her side, I was infuriated and stabbed him,” Shoniwa explained.

Shoniwa’s confession exposed the depth of his anger and resentment. He felt betrayed by his mother’s actions, humiliated by the community gossip, and enraged by his uncle’s perceived support of the relationship. He claimed the stabbing was a desperate act born out of a cocktail of emotions – betrayal, humiliation, and rage.

The court proceedings were adjourned, and Shoniwa was remanded in custody pending bail considerations. The case sparked considerable public interest and debate, with many questioning Ras Pompy’s role in the unfolding drama. While some expressed sympathy for Shoniwa, acknowledging his emotional turmoil, others condemned his actions, emphasizing the seriousness of the attempted murder charges.

Ras Pompy’s entanglement in both the drug possession case and the prior love triangle scandal has undoubtedly tarnished his image. The latest conviction and jail sentence will likely have a significant impact on his career, at least in the short term. It remains to be seen how his fans will react to this latest development and whether he can rehabilitate his image upon his release.