Religious film under microscope

FOUR artists appeared in court yesterday for producing a film that is likely to cause conflict among religious groups, without the approval of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Unit.

The film “Lord of Kush”, according to the State, is likely to spark conflict between Christians and Muslims if it is screened.

Tendai Humbasha Maduwa (34) a film producer at Spidercom, Kudakwashe Brian Bwititi (26) who is a script writer and freelance journalist, Davies Guzha (52) the owner of Theatre in Park and Peter Churu (53) a manager with Theatre in Park are being charged for contravening the Censorship and Entertainment Act.

Harare magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko granted the quartet $200 bail each.

The four were ordered to stay at their given addresses pending finalisation of the case. They were also warned against interfering with State witnesses.

Lawyers, Mr Moses Nkomo and Mr Tinomuda Shoko of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights represented the artists.

Mr Nkomo told the court that his clients’ rights were violated during arrest.

He stated that the accused persons were taken to Harare Central Police Station where they spent a night only to be released without a charge.

It is alleged that sometime this year Maduwa, working with Bwititi produced a film entitled “Lord of Kush”.

They even published an article in local newspapers advertising the launch of the film on July 27.

Maduwa and Bwititi allegedly did not apply for a certificate to the Censorship and Entertainment Control Unit.

The court heard that investigations made by the police in respect of the movie established that the content was undesirable in that they depicted the abduction of the child of Zimbabwean Ambassador to Pakistan by a certain religious group.

It was also established that if launched and shown to the world, it would invoke conflicts among religious groups particularly Christians and Muslims.

The court heard that on July 27 at Theatre in the Park, Harare Gardens, Guzha and Churu approved the launch of the film while working in common purpose with Maduwa and Bwititi and publicly exhibited and advertised the film which had not been approved.

It is alleged that the four launched the film which was attended by members of the public leading to their arrest.