Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Zimbabwe authorities to promptly investigate and take appropriate action against the officials who shut down the show of popular musician, Wallace Chirumiko, also known as Winky D.

Development Diaries reports that Zimbabwean police, on 04 March, 2023, stormed the stage and shut down the show of the popular musician known for his critical commentaries.

Winky D, 40, is a celebrated reggae-dancehall artiste who recently released an album that contains lyrics against social and political injustice, corruption, and the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe.

In a statement, HRW said, ‘Zimbabwe authorities should promptly investigate and take appropriate action against officials responsible for this and other acts of intimidation, harassment, and threats against artists peacefully expressing their views.

‘Particularly ahead of general elections expected in July or August, the authorities need to fully respect and protect the rights to freedom of speech, expression, and assembly’.

It was gathered that after the release of Winky D’s album in January, the Economic Empowerment Group, a lobbying group affiliated with the ruling Zanu-PF party of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, demanded that he be banned from performing at any public event or public venue in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, members of Zimbabwe’s arts community expressed concern that the government’s actions against Winky D are part of a broader threat to basic rights and liberties ahead of the country’s general election.

In its 2023 Freedom in the World report on political rights and civil liberties, Freedom House ranked Zimbabwe as ‘not free’, with the southern African country earning 28 points out of a possible 100.

Development Diaries calls on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately end its pattern of the clampdown on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Photo source: HRW