Zimdancehall music promoters Arnold Kamudyariwa, popularly known as DJ Fantan, Chillspot Records co-founder Tafadzwa Kadzimwe aka Levels and Tinashe Chanachimwe “Dhama” Tuesday pleaded guilty to breaching Covid-19 regulations through organising an unsanctioned New Year’s Eve music gig.
They were arrested after they organised the bash at Matapi Flats in Mbare where some 22 local artistes reportedly performed in front of an audience of 2000 music lovers.
The trio appeared before Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti Tuesday represented by lawyer Dumisani Mthombeni.
They all pleaded guilty and begged for clemency.
They were charged with a count of partaking and convening a public gathering during a national lockdown in contravention of Section 5(3)(a) of the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention and Containment) Regulations of Statutory Instrument 77 of 2020.
Mthombeni said his clients were young.
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| Music Promoter DJ Fantan Pleads Guilty Over New Year Eve Gig! |
He said the three assisted the police in dispersing the crowd in the process convincing those who resisted leaving the venue.
The lawyer said others who were arrested for the same offence have already paid fines and released.
“It would be dangerous for the court to sentence them differently from how other offenders were treated.
“They are intending to assist the government as ambassadors through arts in conscientising the nation to comply with government’s efforts to combat the pandemic,” he said.
The lawyer added, “Court should assist the offenders by not breaking them but give them a sentence that will help rehabilitate them.”
They offered to pay a fine and do community service at Matapi police station.
In aggravation, prosecutor Michael Reza said the three deserved a custodial sentence and $400 000 fine.
“What they did is akin to attempted murder, the seriousness of their offence must be reflected in the sentence,” said Reza.
“Fining them or sentencing them to perform community service would trivialise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
The three were remanded in custody Tuesday while the ruling was set for Wednesday.
