Koffi Olomide and dancing queens during the wedding ceremony of Bona Mugabe, Daughter to Robert Mugabe , President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Simba at President Mugabe's private residence in Harare, Zimbabwe on March 1,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Koffi Olomide and dancing queens

The Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia has bowed down to public pressure and cancelled Congolese rhumba giant Koffi Olomide’ planned shows in Lusaka.

In a brief statement, Show Society President Ben Shoko said following the reported unfortunate incidence in Kenya concerning Koffi Olomide, the show Society of Zambia has decided to cancel his performances during this year’s Show.

Several Zambians took to social media to call for the cancellation of Koffi’s Lusaka concerts after he was deported from Kenya following a row over an incident in which he was captured the airport kicking one of his female dancers.

Earlier today, the Zambia Association of Musicians has condemned Koffi Olomide’s recent violent behaviour in Kenya, against one of his female dancers.

Association President Njoya Tembo said the Association is now calling for his contract for the shows scheduled to take place during this year’s Zambia Agriculture Commercial Show to be cancelled.

“Koffi has proved to be violent when musicians are generally peace ambassadors. In Zambia, he beat up one of his dancers and then a photojournalist, Mandela, at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel a year or two ago. Being an election year, Zambians shouldn’t be subjected to any form of violence. We have invested a lot in peace and that can’t be traded for anything – not for a concert,” Mr Tembo said.

He added, “With this background, Koffi must be allowed time to handle his anger and emotions in peace, at home, in Congo DR. It is sad that a person we consider as a senior musician and role model in the region has gone on rampage assaulting women with impunity. He has proved to be bad influence in the past as well as in the present.”

We therefore wish to applaud the Kenyan authorities for being uncompromising on Koffi’s behaviour, resulting in his deportation. We are confident that our relevant authorities will not allow him to come to Zambia, due to his emotional instability.”