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RAUNCHY dancer Beverly Sibanda was yesterday fined $100 and warned against having physical contact with her fans in future while performing or she will be locked up for two months. Bev, as she is fondly known, was on Tuesday arrested for performing erotic dances with fans on stage at Private Lounge Night Club and at Airport Lounge in violation of provisions of her licence.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening the Censorship and Entertainment Act when she appeared in court. Magistrate Donald Ndirowei set aside two months for five years on condition she does not commit a similar offence within that period.
Through her lawyer Jivas Mudimu of Madotsa and Partners, Beverly accused her security personnel of failing to control crowds at the shows before making a public apology in court.
The Sexy Angels leader, who had left the stage for Prophet Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, said ecstatic fans leapt onto the stage upon seeing her after a long absence from showbiz when she was doing church business.
She attributed some of her actions to youthfulness as she is only 23.
Beverly pleaded for the court’s leniency, arguing that if she was to be sent to prison, her child would be the worst affected.
“Your worship, her fans were overjoyed to see her on stage after her non-appearance for sometime and some of them were drunk and would jump on stage to welcome their queen of dance,” said Mudimu.
“As a mother, giving her a custodial sentence or community service will not only hamper her but the child as well since she is playing the motherly and fatherly role.
“Your worship, she has sent me to send an apology to the public, state and the court and to tell everyone that she will not repeat the same in the near future.”
Prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri asked the court to punish Beverly, arguing that as a Zimbabwean she should follow the rules and regulations of the land.
“She might say that on the Carnival Samba night she was copying the Brazilians, but your worship the accused must know that she is a Zimbabwean not a Brazilian hence she should abide by the rules and laws.
“There is no justification for her over-excitement during her shows and her excuses do not hold water.”
On Friday last week, Beverly performed at Private Lounge Night Club in Harare where she invited male patrons on stage and moved into the audience. On the other count, Beverly on May 23 performed at Airport Lounge along Airport Road where she again invited a man onto the stage.
She breached a condition of Censorship certificate ‘C’ which prohibits physical contact between an artiste and her audience during strip tease performances. The pictures, which were taken during her performances, were viewed by the Censorship Board and were said to be indecent.
The pictures were produced in court as an exhibit.
Meanwhile, Bev’s manager Hapaguti “Harpers” Mapimhidze said his dancer had accepted the ruling by the magistrate and would comply.
“Bev admitted that she was guilty and we accept what the court said. We were warned that if Bev engages patrons during her performances again, our licence will be withdrawn. I have spoken to her about it and she has to comply with the provisions,” he said.
Harpers however said Bev was unfazed and would be back on the dance-floor tonight.
“To our multitudes of fans, let me assure them that we will bounce back with a bang. They should expect more from Bev as she promises fireworks,” he said. – Harare Bureau/Showbiz Reporter
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter