South African Amapiano artist Scotts Maphuma was struck by a bottle thrown from the crowd during a live performance in Zimbabwe, in a shocking incident that comes amid growing backlash against South African artists performing in the country.
The moment, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media on Monday, August 24, 2026, has sparked concern among music fans from both countries. The nighttime footage shows Scotts Maphuma and other performers on an outdoor stage before a bottle is suddenly thrown from the audience in his direction.
According to the video, Scotts Maphuma was in the process of saying his goodbyes to the audience as his performance came to an end. While some members of the crowd could be heard cheering, others appeared to boo the South African star. Moments later, a green bottle came flying from the audience and struck him on stage in front of stunned onlookers.
The footage was reportedly recorded by an audience member and later reshared by Everything Zim TV on X. The video, carrying an “everythingzim TV” watermark, shows the tense atmosphere surrounding the performance and the shocking moment the bottle was thrown.
The incident did not happen in isolation. It comes during a period of increasing tension involving some Zimbabwean audiences and South African artists, with several SA performers reportedly facing backlash and being removed from Zimbabwean events.
Mafikizolo and Musa Keys were among the South African artists reportedly dropped from festival line-ups following threats and opposition from some Zimbabwean youth. The growing backlash has been linked to immigration tensions between South Africa and Zimbabwe, with frustrations surrounding broader political and social issues increasingly spilling into the entertainment space.
For Scotts Maphuma, the bottle attack represents a particularly concerning development. Artists regularly travel across borders to perform and connect with fans, and the stage is meant to be a space for music and celebration rather than hostility.
The incident has also raised questions about the safety of South African musicians performing in Zimbabwe during the current climate. While Scotts Maphuma has built a growing fanbase through his contributions to Amapiano, the video suggests that tensions outside of music may be affecting how some artists are being received.
Despite the disturbing moment, many fans have expressed concern over the treatment of performers and called for greater respect and safety at live events. Throwing objects at artists can result in serious injuries and turn what should be a celebration into a dangerous situation.
As the video continues to circulate, the incident involving Scotts Maphuma has become another flashpoint in the ongoing conversation around South African artists and the growing backlash they have faced at some Zimbabwean events.
🚨 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
