South African amapiano star Mpho Lebajoa, popularly known as Scotts Maphuma, was struck by a bottle while performing in Zimbabwe, with footage of the incident sparking reactions online.
Also see: Scotts Maphuma fans defend ‘nasty attitude’ in viral video
Scotts Maphuma hit during performance
In the footage, Scotts Maphuma can be seen performing when an object comes flying from the audience and strikes him. The incident briefly interrupts the performance before the show continues.
The incident comes at a difficult time for several South African artists booked to perform in Zimbabwe, amid growing tensions and calls for a boycott of some South African acts, reported Briefly.
Scotts Maphuma has previously faced controversy around his relationship with fans and his interactions at public appearances. His comments about not always wanting to take photographs with fans sparked significant backlash in South Africa last year, with some performances subsequently facing protests and cancellations.
🚨 SCOTTS MAPHUMA 🇿🇦 HIT WITH A BOTTLE ON STAGE! 😳💥
Scotts Maphuma was struck by a bottle while performing live in Zimbabwe. 🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/g6a3tYMqP4
— Everything Zim 🇿🇼 (@everythingzimtv) August 24, 2026
Also see: Scotts Maphuma sparks reaction after sharing controversial dating preference
SA artists face backlash in Zimbabwe
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of growing opposition to some South African artists performing in Zimbabwe.
Several South African acts have faced pressure over performances in the country, with promoters having to contend with calls for cancellations and boycotts. Scotts Maphuma has previously been among the artists whose Zimbabwean bookings attracted scrutiny.
The bottle-throwing incident has consequently prompted questions about whether the tensions surrounding South African performers played a role in what happened at Scotts Maphuma’s show.
However, there is no confirmed evidence that the person who threw the bottle did so specifically because Scotts Maphuma is South African, so it would be premature to make that claim.
Also see: Mafikizolo axed from Zimbabwe concert amid xenophobia tensions in South Africa
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