Zimbabwe: UK Denies Luciano's Band Members Transit Visas

Zimbabwe: UK Denies Luciano's Band Members Transit Visas

	Published by the government of Zimbabwe

The Herald (Harare)

2 November 2007
Posted to the web 2 November 2007

Trust Khosa And Mabasa Sasa
Harare

Stung by Jamaican reggae star Luciano's endorsement of the land reform programme, British immigration authorities yesterday vindictively denied the singer's band members transit visas to travel from Jamaica through London for the Jacaranda Jazz Festival set to burst into life at the City Sports Centre tomorrow night.

The 10 band members were supposed to join Luciano, who arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday, for the festival, a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority initiative which seeks to promote ecological and urban tourism. The festival starts at midday and lasts the whole night. ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke, who broke the news during a Press conference in Harare yesterday, said the British authorities were miffed by Luciano's stance on Zimbabwe's land reforms and were trying to sabotage his performance by preventing his band members from joining him.

Mr Kaseke said the British authorities in Jamaica had granted transit visas to some of the band members while denying them to others -- a move that rekindled memories of how the German embassy in Harare earlier this year sabotaged a Zimbabwean delegation that was supposed to attend an ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Forum meeting in Wiesbaden, Germany, by granting visas to only half the delegation while turning down the rest.

The Zimbabwe delegation, led by Senator Forbes Magadu, planned to present a draft resolution condemning the EU sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Ms Gillian Dare, the spokesperson for the British embassy in Harare, said she had no idea who Luciano was and added that in any case she had no authority to comment on individual cases.

Since his arrival in Zimbabwe, Luciano has hailed President Mugabe, whom he described as a great leader indispensable for the success of Zimbabwe's reforms. "The bad news is that Luciano's band members are no longer coming, but Luciano is determined to go ahead with the show. We have, therefore, identified (local reggae group) Transit Crew as a suitable group to back him. They are already rehearsing," said Mr Kaseke.

A sobbing Luciano assured his fans during the same Press conference that the show was still on. "Our duty is to send the message and the show will go ahead as planned. Like I said earlier this week, we have a special message for the country and we are calling upon our sisters and brothers to come and hear what the 'Messengers' have in store for them. I am here on a ministerial mission and I hope my message will be heard loud and clear," the outspoken reggae star said.

"In short, I am promising a show that will send Zimbabweans talking and they should also expect popular songs and a few that I have composed for this special visit," he added.

Luciano -- who has composed a special song for the nation titled Zimbabwe Stand Strong, which he will play at the festival -- said there was more to the festival than partying and boozing.

The Messenger of Jah, as he is affectionately known in reggae circles, urged people to converge in their numbers at the City Sports Centre for the festival, which is also known as Pfumvudza. His companion Mikey General, who will partner him at the show, urged Zimbabweans to stand up and fight for what is rightfully theirs. "As for me, there is nothing much I promise save for the ministry we have brought here," he said.

Andy Brown, Tongai Moyo, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Trevor Hall's Crucial Mix and Cephas Mashakada will be the supporting acts. As news of the British action filtered through Harare last night, The Herald switchboard was jammed by irate callers expressing outrage at the malice shown by British immigration.

One caller said it was ironic that the British government, which always claims to be the epitome of democracy and freedom of expression, was victimising Luciano for speaking his mind.

This, she said, should show the world that Britain's fight against Zimbabwe was not about values, but land.