Jah Prayzah Faults Arrest of 3 Promoters over ‘Superspreader’ Concert
7 January 2021
[Photo Credit:Jah Prayzah Instagram]
By Kinyua Mwangi
The jailing of three music promoters in Zimbabwe; Tinashe Chinachimwe, Arnold Kamudyariwa and Tafadzwa Kadzimwe has elicited a sharp debate. While handing a one-year reduced jail sentence (to six months upon good behavior), a Zimbabwean court cited that the three promoters organized and held an event on New Year’s Eve in disregard of COVID-19 protocols.
The all-night concert was attended by a mammoth crowd even as the country battles a new wave of rising infections.
Zimbabwe has recorded new highs of 1,365 daily. Some 34 people are reported to have died on the same day that the event was held.
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The Prosecution team said that the trio attempted to murder hundreds of people by flouting the regulations imposed.
"The three circulated a banner on social media headed 'Thursday December 31, 6pm to 6am. They overlooked the curfew and invited over 22 artists to perform
"What they did is akin to attempted murder, the seriousness of their offence must be reflected in the sentence," Prosecutor Michael Reza said.
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The court also ordered for the suspension of four police officers who offered security at the event.
Zimbabwe is currently on a second lockdown in a bid to curb further spread of the virus. While reacting to the sentence, Jah Prayzah wrote on his Instagram page: “This is a mistake even I could have easily made. Just the desire to see people happy as we are born for this. From mistakes like these we all learn. I am sorry it had to be you guys and now we shall all learn. I know you will come back stronger, bigger and wiser. It shall pass soon. Stay strong. To all of us reading this, stay safe, stay home and mask up.”
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