Southern Africa: Music Promoters Shelve Shows Ahead of SADC Summit
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Music promoters have been forced to postpone several shows due to the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit to be held in Harare in a fortnight. Concerns over potential protests by opposition activists and supporters during the annual gathering have led to heightened tensions in the country.
The government’s threats against the opposition and activists have added to the strained atmosphere ahead of the summit, which will be attended by Heads of State from the regional bloc.
Among the affected events is the popular “Braai Out,” initially scheduled for next week but now postponed to next month. Organizers cited the need to avoid “conflicts” in their statement: “We regret to inform you that the BraaiOutZW Friends Camp Adventure, previously scheduled for August 9-10 at Graceland Resort, Lake Chivero, has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. A high-level SADC Summit is taking place from August 10-17, and we have made the decision to reschedule our event to avoid any conflicts.”
Similarly, a summer festival supposed to be headlined by Jah Prayzah on Saturday in Mutare has been rescheduled to the end of the month “in respect” of the summit. “We would like to inform you on the postponement of the Summer Music Festival that was scheduled to take place on the 3rd of August, in Mutare. We understand that this may have caused you and other attendees a great deal of inconvenience. The highly profiled event, which was set for the 3rd of August, will now take place on the 30th of August. The postponement has been necessitated in respect of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, set to take place in August in Harare,” read the organizers’ statement.
The government has repeatedly warned against planned protests over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s disputed election in last year’s general elections and his upcoming chairmanship of the SADC.
On Tuesday, four activists—Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusimuzi Moyo—were arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport in a move criticized as a clampdown on dissenting voices.
Despite these developments, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has denied claims that public gatherings have been prohibited ahead of the summit. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses social media postings alleging that the Government of Zimbabwe has banned or prohibited public gatherings due to the forthcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit. This is false. The public should dismiss this false information with the contempt it deserves,” said Nyathi.
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