JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Mafikizolo announced the cancellation of a weekend gig in Harare after an internet campaign to boycott the show gathered momentum in response to ongoing attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
Nhlanhla Nciza and Theo Kgosinkwe, the Mafikizolo duo, recorded a video message for fans on Wednesday announcing that the gig was off.
Pop sensation Mlindo the Vocalist, who is also billed to perform in Zimbabwe this weekend, said he was concerned for his personal security and was considering his options.
“We would like to say to all our fans in Zimbabwe that the show that we were supposed to perform this coming Friday at the HICC in Harare has been cancelled because of what’s currently happening in our country – the violence, the crime and things that are happening currently against our brothers from across the continent,” Theo said in the video message.
Added Nhlanhla: “We would like to let our brothers and sisters know that as Mafikizolo we condemn the killings that have been taking place – the killings of innocent people, the killings of our innocent brothers from the African continent.
“We want you to know that we will continue to keep you in our prayers. We urge our government to take strong steps, harsh steps to punish the perpetrators, the individuals that are responsible for these horrific crimes.”
Mlindo the Vocalist took to Twitter to express concerns for his personal safety.
He tweeted: “I’m supposed to travel to Zimbabwe this weekend, but I fear for my life since I’m South African. My country is doing so much harm to our brothers and sisters I have no choice but to wonder what lies in another African country as an AFRICAN!!!???”
Zimbabweans had launched social media campaigns urging a boycott of the Mafikizolo show.
On Tuesday, Zambia called off a weekend friendly match with South Africa.
“This is because of the security concerns, you never know what can happen,” Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) secretary general Adrian Kashala, told AFP. “We want to be sure of the security of (the) visiting team.”
South African grocer Shoprite Holdings said on Wednesday several stores in its home market, Nigeria and Zambia were closed and extensive damage had been done to several supermarkets over the past 24 hours.
The shops were attacked after days of riots in South Africa chiefly targeting foreign-owned, including Nigerian businesses.
Police fanned out across neighbourhoods in Johannesburg and Pretoria as the violence extended into a fourth day on Wednesday.
Police have arrested more than 100 people in five areas impacted by the violence. Many gutted, emptied shops remained closed as shop owners, many of them foreign, feared to return to their property.
Police minister Bheki Cele confirmed on Tuesday that five people had died since the violence started on Sunday night.
