Popular Social Commentary Musician ‘Pilato' under probe

Popular Social Commentary Musician 'Pilato' under probe

WINDHOEK, Namibia, 05 June 2015 / PRN Africa / -- Police in Lusaka were reported to have instituted investigations into the alleged 'defamation of the President' by musician Chama Fumba, alias Pilato.




According to a report carried by the government owned Daily Mail, Lusaka Province Police Commissioner, Charity Katanga, stated that that police were investigating the matter and would get down to its root.




By press time, Ms Katanga said police had recorded four statements and members of the public were still going to file complaints at various police stations.


Currently, we have recorded three statements and I have just been informed that another member of the public is making a similar complaint at Chilenje Police Station," Ms. Katanga is quoted as saying.




The complaints allege that the article and the song is demeaning to the head of state. Ms. Katanga said the complaints to the police were mainly about Pilato's song and an article in the Post newspaper edition of May 30, 2015 under the headline "Pilato's song excites Lungu's critics". Ms. Katanga also said one of the complainants told the police that the song by Pilato is allegedly targeted at President Lungu, which is disrespectful and has brought the name of the head of state into disrepute.




The song describes a number of issues in public domain and details the republican president's journey from his days as Member of Parliament to presidency and attempts to highlight the incompetence displayed in some of the President's decisions.




Pilato has previously released controversial social commentary items of music that have stimulated discussion on issues of democratic governance.




By Thursday, June 4th, 2015, the embattled artist had not been formally arrested and had refused to issue an apology or retraction stating that he was within his right to enjoy his freedom of expression.




The song has ignited widespread debate on the right to freedom of expression, its limits and certain laws inimical to its enjoyment. MISA Zambia is closely following the situation as it unfolds.


SOURCE Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)


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