DJ Cleo denied entry into Zimbabwe

DJ Cleo denied entry into Zimbabwe

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By Showbiz Reporter

TOP South African DJ and music producer, Cleo Monyepeao, better known as DJ Cleo, has been barred from entering Zimbabwe because he "uttered bad things" about President Robert Mugabe.

DJ Cleo should have performed in Bulawayo last Saturday at the Umthwakazi Arts Festival's kwaito night.

On Wednesday, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) triggered a withdrawal of DJ Cleo's temporary work permit when it advised immigration officials to stop Cleo from entering the country "until investigations are through".

A letter from a NACZ official to the chief immigration officer said: "The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe would like to withdraw its recommendation made in earlier communication to allow DJ Cleo into the country. Information that reached us after recommending him has necessitated the need to ask the immigration department to withdraw the temporal permit it had already issued to the DJ.

"By copy of this letter, we are also informing our Bulawayo office to communicate with the promoters — Umthwakazi Fundraising Committee (Ingwe Studios) — to replace DJ Cleo. He was scheduled to perform on 28/29 April 2006.

"May this message be conveyed to the relevant borders, as it is a matter of urgency. DJ Cleo is said to have uttered bad things and until our investigations are through, we are unable to recommend his performances."

The privately owned Standard newspaper reported Sunday that the "bad things" DJ Cleo allegedly uttered was a critical comment about President Robert Mugabe's economic mismanagement.

A statement by Radio Dialogue, organisers of the Umthwakazi Arts Festival blasted NACZ in a statement Sunday, describing their actions as "outrageous".

The statement said: "Radio Dialogue condemns the move by State agents to censor and gag entertainment and stifle freedom of expression in general. It is not by coincidence that they have sabotaged a festival being held in Bulawayo.

"It is more alarming that the deportation or blocking of the artist DJ Cleo is done at the whims of an undisclosed and shady character.

"We do not see how a DJ coming to play music can be punished together with the Zimbabwean public simply because he said bad things."

The NACZ, Radio Dialogue said, was playing "to the whims of dark forces of discrimination and marginalisation".

DJ Cleo shot to prominence as the award-winning producer for kwaito kingpin, Mzekezeke. He produced his triple-platinum selling albums, Sguqa Ngamadolo and Istorotoro.

Cleo has now set up his own production company called Will of Steel Productions. Among some of the artists at the label is Brickz of the Sweety My Baby fame.
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