Chivaviro raids city pirates

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Gospel musician Rev TT Chivaviro on Monday raided pirates that were selling fake discs of his music in the city centre. Chivaviro, who is riding high with his song “Ebenezer”, fumed saying he would not hesitate to work with law enforcement agents in reducing the crime.

“There are some guys who are masquerading as my agents selling pirated CDs at corner First Street and Speke Avenue and other street corners,” he fumed.

He said the fake agents got few copies of his original CDs from Artisan Studios and display the original product at their stands as disguise while selling pirated copies.

When this reporter visited the scene Chivaviro had confiscated about 200 CDs from the pirates.

“These guys are criminals. They pretend to be selling the original CDs while they have many pirated copies in their bags. I am not happy and I will work with responsible authorities to deal with these criminals,” he said.

It is understood that he later reported to the police where they promised to deal with the pirates.

This publication tracked down one of the accused pirates only identified as Madzibaba who denied being responsible for piracy.

“I used to do it but I stopped. There is one musician who is pirating other artistes’ albums and they should confront him. I am no longer involved and these guys on the streets know the culprits,” he said.

Piracy has affected the county’s music industry making it difficult for many artistes to make ends meet despite having all-time hits.

Several arts stakeholders have been imploring authorities to deal with pirates extensively.

In 2013 an organisation called Music and Visual Anti-Piracy Organisation of Zimbabwe reported that only 15 people were arrested and they were released after paying fines and performing community service.

It seems artistes are just complaining without any rescue from the authorities. A musician who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday said it was pathetic that even police officers are buying pirated CDs.

“I even saw some of the officers buying pirated CDs and that is the day when I realised that we are going nowhere in fighting against piracy,” he said.