An unnamed businessman is facing charges of contravening COVID-19 regulations after he hired Sungura maestro Alick Macheso to perform at a family birthday celebration in Watsomba, Manicaland on New Year’s eve.
Speaking to ZBC News, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the event in Watsomba did not go ahead as it was stopped by police. Said Nyathi:
The businessman is now also facing charges of contravening COVID-19 regulations, where it is said twenty people attended the celebrations, but we want to verify.
We are also aware that Macheso had been hired to perform on the 31st of December by another businessman in Mutare.
That event was stopped by the police. So we want musicians to be responsible. Let’s not take for granted the issue of COVID-19.
Musicians should comply with covid-19 regulations. Business-people should comply with covid-19 regulations. This includes members of the public.
Please, please, let us not wait for the police to force us to wear a mask, to practise social distancing, to sanitise.
Ass Comm Nyathi also revealed that fifty-two people have been arrested following an illegal music concert held in Harare’s Mbare suburb on New Year’s Eve.
He said police are looking for the chief suspect in the case, popular music promoter, DJ Fantan, who is allegedly on the run.