POLICE in Lusaka have instituted investigations into the alleged defamation of the President by musician Chama Fumba, alias Pilato, and have recorded statements from four complainants.
And the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) has advised artistes to respect the presidency.
Lusaka Province commissioner of police Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday that police are investigating the matter and assured that they will get 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 said.
Pilato – Tabalanda Sana Video
Ms. Katanga has noted that artists have the right to sing songs but they should be responsible and ensure that their songs do not bring disorder and disunity in the country.
She said the first statement was recorded from Patriotic Front (PF) provincial secretary Maximo Kakumba, 36, of Lusaka’s Garden township.Ms Katanga said Mr Kakumba complained to the police 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”.
“He complained that the article is demeaning to the head of state and also about Pilato’s song, which he produced before the police,” she said.
Ms Katanga said Mr Kakumba 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.
Ms Katanga said Mr Kakumba’s statement was recorded yesterday at Lusaka Central Police Station around 10:00 hours.
And ZAM secretary-general Gloria Kabongo said in a separate interview yesterday that artists should be mindful when making reference to the President.
“We should be mindful of what we sing about. Even when we express ourselves, we should do it within the confines of the law.
NOW TURN UP THE VOLUME “Alungu Anabwela” SONG:
New latest song from Zambian musician Pilato titled Alungu Anabwela. This song described the current political situation in Zambia.
“The presidency is the highest office of our land, hence the need to respect the office-holder,” she said.
Ms Kabongo advised artists to desist from singing about the President in a demeaning and insulting manner.
She said Zambian artists are lucky because they go scot-free whenever they insult the President.
Ms Kabongo said this does not happen in other countries.
And Evangelical Youth Alliance International (EYAI) president Moses Lungu has called on President Lungu to take legal action against Pilato.
He said relevant authorities should ban Pilato’s song because it is a bad song that should not be given airplay.
Reverend Lungu called on the police to take action against the musician because his behaviour is unacceptable.
And MMD national youth chairperson Bowman Lusambo said that the youth are disappointed with Pilato.
“Though some people are saying that he is an artist and should be allowed to express himself, the song he has sung demeans the President,” he said.
Mr Lusambo said it is unfortunate that Pilato keeps mentioning President Lungu and the MMD in a disrespectful manner in his song.
ZambiaDailyMail
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IN THIS CASE PILATO HAS NO CASE REASON ITS JST A KASONGO WAT ATHERS WERE SENGIN
THEY DIDNT FOLLOWED THEM BUT PILATO THEY ARE SEING ALAKWA ALAKWA CHANI?