Zimbabwean Court Releases Music Promoters Jailed for Violating Covid-19 Guidelines

[Photo Credit:Jah Prayzah Instagram]

By Kinyua Mwangi

Zimbabwean music promoter Dammer and his two other colleagues; DJ Fantan and DJ Levels who had been jailed a few weeks ago have been granted bail.

High Court judge Davison Foroma released the three entertainers on Thursday on bail, pending full hearing of the case after an appeal was lodged.

Read Also: Jah Prayzah Dominates Zimbabwean Top 10 Hits of the Past Decade

The three had been sentenced to six months in jail over Mbare New Year Eve concert which they had organized.

The all-night concert was attended by a mammoth crowd even as the country battles a new wave of rising infections. At the time, Zimbabwe had just recorded 1,365 COVID-19 cases in a single day.

Download Jah Prayzah Music for Free on Mdundo

Some 34 people are reported to have died from COVID-19 on the same day that the event was held.

Read Also: Jah Prayzah Faults Arrest of 3 Promoters over ‘Superspreader’ Concert

"What they did is akin to attempted murder, the seriousness of their offence must be reflected in the sentence," Prosecutor Michael Reza told the court during the first trial.

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.”