Home Affairs Minister summoned to Parliament over police disrupting Winky D show

Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa called on Home affairs, Kazembe Kazembe to come to Parliament and explain why the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) violently disrupted Winky D born Wallace Chirumiko’s show in Chitungwiza and also banned Baba Harare, real name Braveman Mwanza’s show.

On Saturday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, through the police, violently stopped popular musician Winky D real name Wallace Chirumiko’s first live show since the release of his album Eureka at the Blue Roof at Damview in Chitungwiza

Winky D was singing his latest song iBotso before police oficers stormed the stage leading to violent skirmishes on the stage.

Similarly, Baba Harare‘s show that was scheduled for Chitungwiza during the weekend was also cancelled due to the police’s failure or refusal to clear it.

The Zimbabwean jiti musician announced the development saying he did not know why authorities had stopped him.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Mushoriwa requested the line Minister Kazembe to come to the house and explain the behaviour of the police towards musicians.

“Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of National Interest is in response to the fact that 2 days ago, one of our popular musicians in this country Winky D’s show in Chitungwiza was disrupted by the police.

“A few hours after that, the show of another musician Baba Harare was also declined to be performed,” he said.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, musicians are the cog of our arts industry and they do give entertainment to all of us, hence I am requesting that the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs should come before this august House with a Ministerial Statement to explain what the situation is pertaining to our musicians, whether there is now limitation or ban that musicians can no longer perform and do their work without fear of being harassed.

“Primarily, I say this because if you read the provision of MOPA, it does not require the sort of interference that we are actually seeing. So this is my request that the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs come before this august House and explain the position because it is actually a stab on our arts industry which if you check from the Hon. Minister of Finance has actually been generating some resources towards our gross domestic product.

The Acting Speaker of Parliament responded: “In as much as I have taken point of your national interest, may I remind you that tomorrow; Wednesday is the most appropriate day for you to pose that question. Maybe before you pose that request, ask a question to the Hon. Minister himself.”