The High Court has rejected Aaron Chaka’s application to change his surname to Mtukudzi, citing the late musician Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi as his father. Chaka’s request was struck off the roll by High Court judge Justice Fatima Maxwell.

Chaka had sought to compel the Registrar of Births and Deaths to change his surname to Mtukudzi, citing his alleged paternity. He named the Registrar, Mtukudzi’s widow Daisy, and the Master of the High Court as respondents.

However, Justice Maxwell ordered Chaka to obtain scientific proof of his biological relationship to Mtukudzi before pursuing the name change. Chaka claims his mother, Rose Makumbe, had a relationship with Mtukudzi in 1978, resulting in his birth.

Chaka’s application sought to delete his father’s surname and replace it with Mtukudzi’s. However, the court’s ruling means he must now provide DNA evidence or other scientific confirmation to support his claim before proceeding with the name change.