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| Chama Fumba |
Zambian musician Chama Fumba, who goes under the stage name Pilato, has been arrested and charged over a controversial song that criticizes the country’s President Edgar Lungu.
On Monday, the satirical singer was arrested and charged with an offence of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, following a song over the state of affairs in Zambia.
The song in question is a cover of the legendary Nashil Pischen Kazembe’s song “A Phiri Anabwera”, featuring Pilato’s own parody lyrics slamming President Lungu as “a drunk” among several other insults.
Pilato was denied bail and remain in police custody. A statement released through Pilato’s lawyers states:
“Our client’s instructions are that he is not intimidated by the police, state machinery or the party in power and their supporters; he is an artiste and he enjoys the freedom of expression as enshrined under Article 20 of our Constitution.”
“Our client is ready to meet the state in court and he urges members of the public to have an open mind so that he has his day at court.”
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has condemned the arrest as a violation of Freedom of Expression and painstakingly voiced their support behind Pilato, citing that as freedom of expression advocates they will take the case all the way to the supreme court if need arises.
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