The Economic Empowerment Group (EEG), a Zimbabwean empowerment lobby group founded by Mike Chimombe after he was relieved of his post as Affirmative Action Group (AAG) president, has said Winky D must be banned from performing in Zimbabwe.

The group accuses the Dancehall chanter of dabbling into politics through music, especially the song Ibotso he collaborated with hip hop artist, Holy Ten.

At a press conference held this Tuesday, the group said Winky D’s music promotes hatred instead of building the nation as promoted by President Mnangagwa in his “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo mantra.“

The song is from Winky D’s album titled Eureka.

Meanwhile, Linda Masarira who leads the opposition Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD), says Winky D and Holy Ten have a constitutional right to express themselves through music. Her Twitter post seen by Pindula News reads:

I am a big fan of @winkydonline & @holytenmusic I will not allow them to be bullied by anyone for expressing themselves through music. Freedom of expression is a constitutional right enshrined in section 61 of the constitution of Zimbabwe. I have an ask, pane pavakanyepa here? (did they lie?)

The song speaks about the social ills prevalent in Zimbabwe. It also attributes the hardships faced by the common man in the southern African nation to corruption by political elites “who steal from the powerless masses” (vanodya zvavapfupi nekureba).

Winky D, Holy Ten Collabo: “Winky D Must Be Banned From Performing In Zimbabwe”

The duo has faced persecution to the extent that Holy Ten, born Mukudzei Chitsama, has said he is regretting working with Winky D in Ibotso. He cites the sensationalisation of the song by commentators, mainly journalists, and activists.

🟡The EEG want @winkydonline banned from performing in Zimbabwe.

They are ruining art. Their statement is unconstitutional & an insult to gifted musicians who take time out to perfect their craft & entertain us. Vene are taking us back to the Stone Age.

We need new leaders.🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/XF30t82mas

— Fadzayi Mahere🇿🇼 (@advocatemahere) January 3, 2023

if @Wamagaisa was still here he would have done a BSR on winky d the goat.

if you think winky d is the goat pliz retweet like and comment pic.twitter.com/khNEPBz7tE

— skilled rebhara (@drjaytee87) January 3, 2023

Former Chronicle Editor Brezhnev Malaba has saluted Winky D for speaking out on corruption in his latest release. He describes Winky D as an incorruptible lone figure in a world of artists who see no evil, hear no evil but pretend as everything is right. https://t.co/JdN0pjhNrt pic.twitter.com/gscErIutPG

— The Mirror Masvingo (@TheMirrorMsv) January 3, 2023

Dear young Zimbabweans. Please see for yourself the Dark Ages into which your future is being plunged!

The dumbest bootlickers among you are to be your leaders, hounding your smart creatives like @holytenmusic to quit being “leaders of the youth, speakers of the truth!”#Hoyoo https://t.co/ignQyLXyfi

— Chofamba ❁ (@Chofamba) January 3, 2023

Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere has said “An artist’s social commentary on the state of our society & the lives of citizens is not” hate. She added:

The attack on art is regrettable indeed. We need new leaders.