Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL artists Hulungende and Malloti have come under fire from a legislator who accuses them of, among other things, using drugs in the presence of their toddler.
The concerns related to the two artists’ controversial conduct, particularly the dissemination of explicit and vulgar language on social media, were raised in Parliament on Tuesday by Member of Parliament Taurai Dexter Malinganiso.
The legislator said the two artists are eroding societal values.
“I rise to present a matter of profound national importance which speaks not only to governance but to the moral fabric and social direction of our nation.
“At the outset, allow me to pay homage to His Excellency the President, Dr E. D. Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for the deliberate and commendable efforts being employed to combat the scourge of drug and substance abuse.
“The establishment of national programmes, awareness campaigns and enforcement measures reflects a clear commitment to safeguarding the health and future of our citizens, particularly the youth.
“However, Mr Speaker, it is with deep concern that I draw the attention of this House to a growing and troubling counterforce undermining these national efforts.
“We are witnessing an alarming trend whereby certain socialites, musicians and digital influencers, the likes of dancehall artists Hulengende and Malloti, individuals who command significant influence over the younger generation, are openly promoting and normalising drug and substance abuse on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
“Shockingly, instances where such conduct is performed in the presence of children, for the cases of the names that I mentioned above, these drugs are being used in the presence of their newly-born baby, thereby normalising deviant behaviour within the domestic space.”
The legislator said the content being shared was reaching a wide audience, particularly the youth, with negative consequences.
“More disturbing is the manner in which this content is being disseminated, the use of explicit and vulgar language, particularly in vernacular expressions, erodes societal values.
“The public display and glorification of illegal substances, including cannabis, is a direct violation of our laws as well as the promotion of the abuse of prescription medications such as Broncleer, Codeine and Benylin, substances that have become dangerously misused as recreational drugs.”
MP Malinganiso said the conduct of the two musicians undermines law enforcement efforts.
“There are even recorded incidents where public figures have gone as far as distributing illegal substances to members of the public during live broadcasts.
“In this instance, an artist gave a fan a marijuana plant, trivialising both the law and the grave consequences of substance abuse.
“Hon Members, we must be clear.”
He said Parliament has a duty to safeguard the country’s moral standards.
“Social conduct, cultural norms and public behaviour are not peripheral issues as they are central to nation-building.
“If left unchecked, this digital glorification of substance abuse will undo the gains made by the Second Republic and entrench a culture of indiscipline, lawlessness and moral decay among our youths.
“Accordingly, I submit that there is an urgent need for strengthened regulation and monitoring of harmful content on digital platforms, enhanced enforcement of existing drug and cyber laws against offenders as well as strict penalties regardless of their social standing,” he said.
He added that there should be collaboration between Government, regulatory authorities and social media platforms.
“As a nation, we must be deliberate about the image we project to the world and more importantly, the values we instil in our people.
“Influence must be a tool for nation-building, not a weapon of social destruction,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu