PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Zimbabwe crooner calls for release of jailed Zambian musician
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Legendary and revolutionary Zimbabwean musician, Thomas Mapfumo, has joined global calls to demand freedom and justice for Zambian musician and activist, Pilato, aka Fumba Chama.
Mapfumo made the call ahead of Chama's bail application verdict on Monday, according to Amnesty International, a human rights organization.
Mapfumo, affectionately known as the Lion of Zimbabwe, has produced hits such as Hatidi Politics, in which he reminds politicians not to take the electorate for granted, and he continues to enjoy a huge fan base across the globe for his energetic chimurenga music.
Pilato was jailed on trumped up charges connected to his participation in a peaceful protest in September 2017 with other five fellow activists, according to the rights group.
“The Zambian government is targeting people like Pilato because they are standing up and demanding accountability from their government,” said Mapfumo.
“Pilato is a victim of a government that is trying to consolidate its base through the limiting of freedom of expression and in this case artistic expression.
''He is not a criminal. Instead of targeting criminals who are eroding state institutions, they are using him as a scapegoat. He must be released immediately and unconditionally."
Pilato was arrested at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on 16 May on his return home after spending four months in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He left Zambia in early January after receiving threats in response to his song, Koswe Mumpoto (rat in the pot), which was interpreted as criticising President Edgar Lungu and his ruling Patriotic Front (PF) ministers.
In September 2017, Pilato and five other activists, Lewis Mwape, Laura Miti, Sean Enock Tembo, Bornwell Mwewa, and Mika Mwambazi, staged a peaceful protest outside Parliament demanding accountability for the procurement of 42 fire trucks at a cost of US$ 42 million.
The cost of the trucks is widely seen as exorbitant by the general Zambian population.
The six activists were arrested and beaten. They were later released on bail pending trial. The court appearances only began in 2018.
However, since he fled the country, Pilato was not able to appear in court with fellow activists. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued in his name, but it is being contested as having been issued irregularly.
The six were prosecuted on 17 May for the protest, with Pilato remanded in custody to 21 May when the judge will give a verdict on whether he skipped bail. All the six-accused pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court on 17 May.
“The Zambian government is targeting musicians like Pilato and activists to clearly send a chilling message that any dissenting view will not be tolerated. In participating in this protest these individuals have done absolutely nothing wrong – they are certainly not criminals,” said the legendary musician.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 21May2017
B
Mapfumo made the call ahead of Chama's bail application verdict on Monday, according to Amnesty International, a human rights organization.
Mapfumo, affectionately known as the Lion of Zimbabwe, has produced hits such as Hatidi Politics, in which he reminds politicians not to take the electorate for granted, and he continues to enjoy a huge fan base across the globe for his energetic chimurenga music.
Pilato was jailed on trumped up charges connected to his participation in a peaceful protest in September 2017 with other five fellow activists, according to the rights group.
“The Zambian government is targeting people like Pilato because they are standing up and demanding accountability from their government,” said Mapfumo.
“Pilato is a victim of a government that is trying to consolidate its base through the limiting of freedom of expression and in this case artistic expression.
''He is not a criminal. Instead of targeting criminals who are eroding state institutions, they are using him as a scapegoat. He must be released immediately and unconditionally."
Pilato was arrested at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on 16 May on his return home after spending four months in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He left Zambia in early January after receiving threats in response to his song, Koswe Mumpoto (rat in the pot), which was interpreted as criticising President Edgar Lungu and his ruling Patriotic Front (PF) ministers.
In September 2017, Pilato and five other activists, Lewis Mwape, Laura Miti, Sean Enock Tembo, Bornwell Mwewa, and Mika Mwambazi, staged a peaceful protest outside Parliament demanding accountability for the procurement of 42 fire trucks at a cost of US$ 42 million.
The cost of the trucks is widely seen as exorbitant by the general Zambian population.
The six activists were arrested and beaten. They were later released on bail pending trial. The court appearances only began in 2018.
However, since he fled the country, Pilato was not able to appear in court with fellow activists. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued in his name, but it is being contested as having been issued irregularly.
The six were prosecuted on 17 May for the protest, with Pilato remanded in custody to 21 May when the judge will give a verdict on whether he skipped bail. All the six-accused pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court on 17 May.
“The Zambian government is targeting musicians like Pilato and activists to clearly send a chilling message that any dissenting view will not be tolerated. In participating in this protest these individuals have done absolutely nothing wrong – they are certainly not criminals,” said the legendary musician.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 21May2017
B
