Zimbabwean sungura icon Alick Macheso is set to miss Saturday's Silala Music Festival in Venda, South Africa, amid growing security concerns sparked by anti-immigrant protests.
Macheso had been billed to headline the festival alongside South African music star Makhadzi.
However, sources close to the Orchestra Mberikwazvo camp say the musician will no longer travel to South Africa because of the deteriorating situation.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Macheso's camp was unwilling to take any chances.
"The camp will not risk travelling to South Africa under the current circumstances," the source said.
Instead of crossing the border, Macheso and members of Orchestra Mberikwazvo are expected to remain in Zimbabwe to receive vehicles recently pledged to them by businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
According to the source, several band members are currently processing driver's licences ahead of taking delivery of the vehicles.
The latest gifts follow Chivayo's recent donation of a 2026 Toyota Fortuner to Macheso, while the musician's manager, Tich Makahamadze, received a Toyota Aqua.
Macheso's reported decision comes as tensions between Zimbabwe and South Africa continue to rise following anti-immigrant protests that have left many Zimbabweans living across the border anxious.
The unrest has also fuelled calls in Zimbabwe for South African artists to be barred from performing locally until the safety of Zimbabweans in South Africa is guaranteed.
Those sentiments have already affected the entertainment industry. South African duo Mafikizolo were dropped from Econet's Buddie Beatz Concert held on July 5 following public pressure.
Attention has now turned to the Cheso Music Festival, scheduled for July 31 at Alex Sports Club, where Makhadzi remains one of the headline acts.
The festival has come under mounting pressure from some Zimbabweans demanding that the South African singer be removed from the line-up.
Among those opposing her appearance is socialite Felistas "Mai TT" Murata, who questioned the decision to host a South African performer while many Zimbabweans remain stranded or fearful because of the unrest.
"You want to bring Makhadzi yet we are saying she can't come until all Zimbabweans stuck in South Africa are back home safely and we are at peace," she wrote on social media.
By the time of publication, neither Macheso's management nor the organisers of the Silala Music Festival had officially confirmed the cancellation of Macheso's performance.
Likewise, organisers of the Cheso Music Festival had not announced any changes to Makhadzi's scheduled appearance.