Zimdancehall musician Ezbornwage Chidamajaya, popularly known as Hulengende, has been released after the complainant withdrew fraud charges against him.
Hulengende appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court this morning to answer to fraud allegations. He was arrested on Sunday shortly after performing at the Harare edition of the Doek and Slay event held at Glamis Arena.
His wife, fellow musician Malloti, was also arrested following the performance but was released the same day after it emerged that the fraud allegations were directed at Hulengende.
The arrest came amid complaints from event promoters who have accused the couple of failing to fulfil agreed performance commitments after receiving advance payments.
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According to allegations circulating among promoters, the musicians have on several occasions allegedly failed to turn up for booked shows or arrived late, leaving organisers facing financial losses and disappointed audiences.
The complaints are reportedly not limited to Zimbabwe, with promoters in the United Kingdom also said to have raised concerns over similar incidents involving the musicians. Event organisers elsewhere in the region have likewise reportedly claimed losses arising from alleged no-shows, delays and unfulfilled bookings.
Hulengende’s latest arrest has renewed scrutiny of his dealings with event promoters, particularly the handling of performance contracts and advance payments.
However, the specific circumstances surrounding the latest allegations were not immediately clear. With the complainant having withdrawn the charges, Hulengende has now been released.
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