Popular rhumba musician Koffi Olomide has been barred from entering Zambia because of the many criminal allegations against him in Zambia and France.
They include allegations of assaulting photojournalist Jean Mandela in Zambia during a previous tour.
He has also been accused of sexually assaulting his dancers, kidnapping them and employing them without valid permits in France.
Ahead of his now-cancelled visit, Koffi who lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo – had described Zambia as his “second home” and said he would like to perform in the country before “I die.”
An apology from the 62-year-old singer has also been broadcast on Zambian radio and TV stations.
He does not specifically address the allegations against him, but says that he loves Zambian women.
Olomide, whose real name is Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, was supposed to hold two shows in Zambia this month but Religious and National Guidance Minister Rev. Godfridah Sumaili had warned he will be arrested the moment he steps foot in the country.
On Saturday, the French Embassy in Zambia also called for the arrest of Olomide.
France’s Ambassador to Zambia, Sylvain Berger, threatened to involve Interpol to arrest Olomide, whom he said has not yet been cleared of the allegations against him in France.
The rhumba star – known for his flashy dressing and extravagant lifestyle – is not new to controversy.
In 2016, he was caught on camera kicking his female dancer on arrival in Kenya.
He was swiftly deported.
In 2012, he was convicted in DR Congo of assaulting his producer.
The court gave the singer a three-month suspended prison sentence.
The altercation with his producer, Diego Lubaki, was over a debt of about $3,700 (£2,800), the court heard.
In 2008, he was accused of kicking a cameraman from DR Congo’s private RTGA television station and breaking his camera at a concert in the capital, Kinshasa, following disagreement over recording rights.
In the end, the speaker of the national assembly stepped in to resolve the dispute, brokering a reconciliation between the star and owner of the TV station.
let him come then arrest him!
Good riddance. No one is interested in this old fart!
What will happen with concert tickets at state house and PF secretariat??
Had it not been for the intervention of the French ambassador this foo! Waa going to be allowed in the country what a bunch of pathetic foo!s we are!
The organisers of this event and the people responsible for inviting wa ma koffi uyu must be castigated for ignoring the obvious.
He thinks that apology he made to esther lungu was enough? Rubbish!
Koffie has been cleared by the National Arts Council…this Godfridah Sumaili is just trying to relevant as she has zero work to do…I detest Koffie but promoters need to organised and face up this useless govt of hypocrites.
Am interested
Trump was sued by the immigrants for enforcing the draconian law separating them from the children, but the courts ruled in favor of immigrants. Koffi Olomide should apply for the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act protecting him from witch hunting from the French government through the Zambia government in the name of Interpol.If Koffi Olomide is wanted how come he is able to visit other countries affiliated with Interpol? How Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir of Sudan whom the PF through Winter Kabimba used to mingle despite being on wanted list by the ICC can visit other counties freely ? Vernon Mwaanga was vindicated of drugs but he goes to DRC freely.Moses Katumbi was convicted in absentia in DRC but he comes to Zambia just bcoz the West considers that trumped up charges then its OK? Blood…
CONT”D
Blood supood…
Go and arrest Lungu who has committed crimes costing millions of dollars and money laundering. Let Koffi performance go as planned the only people who can arrest him is the court as those people did not press charges against him.
Hatribas!
This is the problem of having Ministries without Portfolio. Because there is nothing to do at the Ministry, the Minister now thinks she is Immigration.
Minister, first you prevented Zodwa from entering Zambia and now Koffi. In Zodwa’s case, the citizenry was robed of an opportunity of appreciating their origins, and as though that is not enough, you now prevent them from dancing that frustration off.
Koffi should go to Court. Just because France won the soccer World Cup does not give them power to prevent other people from making choices. Zambia is sovereign and we decide who comes and who does not come to our country. We have decided that Koffi should come to Zambia with or without France. There is nothing religious about Koffi’s coming and I don’t see how the Religious Ministry is…
He’s a hotstepper. Good in Music but poor in behaviour.
May be he claimed he will not wear his underpants, therefore the Zambian women will faint after seeing the size of his todger.
Well done PF gov’t please continue to screen these agents of immorality. God bless Zambia!
@James, it is blessed indeed. With blasphemy! We will be laughing at you as you burn in hell for taking the Lord’s name in vain. What a plonker!
You are in support of a moral police that is silent of immorality in its govt?
Government should note that not every Zambian is a Christian! We have atheists,Muslims etc. Let citizens decide for themselves what type of musicians they want. Not this 19th century behavior being exhibited!
And by the way who is the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Religion and Guidance?
Its one of Lazy Lungu’s visionless brainchild …a moral police ministry that is absent when there are allegations of corruption in the govt. I dont support Koffie but I think this ministry tends to pick on foreigners who can fight back…if Koffie is fugitive then this is a Home Affairs matter.
can’t fight back
This Godfridah Sumaili is one woman who is wasting taxpayers funds with useless ministry I remember when she was cornered over the last RSA female dancer she refered matters to the Minister of Culture who happened to out of the country…some smart promoter needs to challenge this woman in court.
Right decision. A pity it only came after a colonial master requested this guy be arrested. On our own we can’t take a decision
The problem is that his dancing queens wear red, which is a UPND colour, so kampyongo thinks they will campaign for UPND
He was banned two years ago so it would have been a contradiction to look the other way and allow him into the country. I know his fans will be greatly disappointed but then that’s the way the world operates.
I see that 1.1 reads with the head screwed on, analyses the data provided, understands what has been said, and therefore makes an informed comment. As for most? I leave it to you to conclude.