Online Reporter
Zvikomberero Parafin and Trust Khosa
DID sungura musician Gift Amuli VIOLATE the bail conditions, which ended the nightmare, which saw him spend two nights in police custody last week?
Amuli was arrested over cyberbullying allegations and spent two nights in police custody before being freed on bail on Friday.
He was granted US$200 bail.
The bail conditions were clear that Amuli should not interfere with State witnesses, during the course of the trial.
Being the complainant, First Farai is one of the key State witnesses.
Magistrate Ruth Moyo also ordered Amuli to reside at his given address and to report once a week at CID Commercial Crimes Division.
Amuli was being accused of launching a cyber-attack against ZIMURA vice-chairperson First Farai. He is facing charges of transmitting false data with the intent to cause harm.
He is scheduled to return to court on March 10.
Amuli is alleged to have targeted First Farai through a Facebook post on January 20, this year, just a day after the latter was elected ZIMURA vice chairperson.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that Amuli used his Facebook account, named “Gift Amuli”, to post defamatory statements aimed at tarnishing First Farai’s reputation.
The post read:
“Murume wekuba mari panhamo wozvipa chigaro kuita hushamwari hwembavha.”
The statement was accompanied by a manipulated photo featuring both Amuli and First Farai.
First Farai filed a police report and said the accusations were false and had caused significant damage to his dignity and professional reputation.
The dispute can be traced back to a 2011 incident where First Farai was accused by Hosiah Chipanga of stealing condolence money meant for the late Cephas “Motomuzhinji” Mashakada.
Amuli used these allegations to attack First Farai even though Mashakada’s daughter has dismissed the claims as baseless and said all the funds were accounted for.
Yesterday, Amuli and First Farai met in Harare, even though the criminal case was still pending in court, and announced they had buried the hatchet, after weeks of acrimony.
The two musicians held a three-hour meeting to iron out their differences.
Amuli’s mobile phone, which was taken by the police during the course of the investigations, was still in the hands of the authorities when he met First Farai. Veteran arts promoter Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza brought the two musicians together and, after their meeting yesterday, First Farai said he was now in the process of withdrawing his case.
“As it stands, we are working towards withdrawing the case, and I am consulting my lawyers.
“I believe that Amuli has learned his lesson after spending two nights in jail.
“As a family man, he needs to return to work, and we are working towards achieving that goal.”
First Farai said he has now forgiven Amuli.
“I have forgiven him after the intervention of prominent figures in our industry.
“I realise that Amuli has a family to support, and we can’t spend our time in court while his phone, used to find jobs, was taken by the police.
“He has since apologised in a video, and he was never forced to do so. I have always wanted him to apologise, but he was arrogant.”
Amuli has since released a video apologising for his conduct.
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Zimbabweans for my conduct after insulting my brother, First Farai.
“I am aware that my case is still in the courts.
“I am truly sorry for my behaviour and have learned my lesson.”
Chimbodza said:
“I have decided to intervene in the case between First Farai and Gift Amuli, although the case is still in the courts,” he said.
“I have realised that it is detrimental for top artists of their calibre to be fighting each other on social media, as we have seen in recent weeks.
“I felt it was my duty to resolve this matter and ensure that both artists can return to work.
“We don’t encourage artists to fight each other on social media. People must always resort to dialogue when such issues arise.
“We condemn this conduct, and it must never be allowed.
“It is my hope that Amuli has learned his lesson, and the two have reconciled for the good of the industry.”
