Culture

South African police denies arresting killers of rapper, AKA

Published

2 years ago

March 27, 2023

South African police have denied reports that killers of rapper, Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, have been arrested.

Reports making the rounds in the country over the past weekend had indicated that the police had made a big breakthrough in the case following public outcry that it had gone cold with an hashtag, #JusticeForAKA, becoming the most trending hashtags in the country.

Several authoritative South African media had reported that the police had made a breakthrough in the investigation and that an anonymous source close to the investigation had revealed that three suspects were arrested in Cape Town on Sunday.

The report also stated that the suspects were now in police custody, and would be charged in Durban where the assassination took place.

But in a statement on Monday, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police dismissed the report that arrests have been made in the investigation of AKA’s murder case.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, who refuted the reports, said some people had jumped the gun.

“Where are you guys getting this information? There has been no update as yet regarding the case,” he said when asked if there was a breakthrough as yet.

The Western Cape police spokesperson, Andre Traut, who also described the report as false, said the police have not received no information regarding the arrest.

“It is a KZN case, should we get any information, it will be sent to them. You should contact them for information,” he said.

Also denying the report, the late rapper’s legal representative, Rudolph Baloyi, said as far as he is concerned, there has not been any arrest in connection with the murder of AKA.

Baloyi who was reacting after media reports surfaced at the weekend that three suspects had been nabbed for the rapper’s murder, said at a press conference in Cape Town that no arrests have been made.

“No, it is not true. No suspects have been arrested in connection with my client’s murder case,” Baloyi said.

The “Fela In Versace” rapper was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside the Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on the evening of February 10, as he was preparing to perform at the YUGO nightclub.

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Culture

Ugandan TikToker sentenced to 32 months for insulting President Museveni

Published

6 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

21-year-old Ugandan TikToker and content creator, Emmanuel Nabugodi, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni in a satirical video.

Nabugodi was found guilty by an Entebbe High Court for allegedly creating a video deemed insulting to President Museveni, a verdict which human rights advocates say further entrenches Uganda’s intolerance for criticism of government officials and holding them accountable.

During his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis on Monday, Nabugodi pleaded guilty to four charges of defamation of character.

The content creator who gained popularity for his comedy sketches with over 20,000 followers, pleaded guilty to charges including hate speech and spreading malicious content about the president.

Local media report that the offensive video featured a mock trial of President Museveni, where Nabugodi depicted the leader being subjected to public flogging.

While delivering the judgement, Chief Magistrate Amabilis said the sentencing aimed to deter social media users from targeting others, including high-profile individuals like the president.

“This court hopes that by the time the convict leaves prison, he will have learned that abusing people in the name of creating content is unacceptable,” she stated.

Rights groups have frequently raised concerns about shrinking freedoms of expression in Uganda with critics arguing that Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has little tolerance for dissent.

Nabugodi’s case is the latest in a string of arrests targeting social media users.

In July, another TikTok creator, Edward Awebwa, received a six-year prison sentence on similar charges, while three others are awaiting trial for their TikTok contents.

The convictions stem from Uganda’s 2022 amendment to the Computer Misuse Act, which criminalizes sharing content online that could “ridicule, degrade, or demean” others based on their identity or affiliation.

Human rights organizations have also accused Ugandan authorities of routinely violating freedoms of speech and expression, with many calling for reforms to protect citizens’ digital rights.

Culture

Davido to donate N300m to orphanages to mark 32nd birthday

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigerian Afro-Pop superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced plans to donate the sum of N300 million to different orphanages across the country and anti-drug advocacy initiatives to mark his 32nd birthday later this year.

The Grammy-nominated singer who revealed the plan in a post he shared on his official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Monday, said he would donate the whopping sum to orphanages and charities that help young people to avoid drug addiction.

The “Unavailable” crooner added that the donation is intention to support vulnerable children at the orphanage and combat drug abuse among youths, and the funds will be split between orphanages and organizations working to prevent drug addiction.

He also assured his fans that details of the donation, including beneficiary organizations and distribution plans, will be made public soon.

“Once again on my birthday this year, we donating to orphanages and a charity that helps young people stay away from drug abuse & addiction. This year is N300m. Details to follow soon,” the multiple award-winning singer wrote.