May I set the record straight

WHILE I usually do not respond to posts on social media associated with my name, it has come to my attention that a YouTube account being run under my name — Roki zw — is posting on other accounts responding to questions about me or commenting on work I have done or intend to do with other artistes.

I would like the public to know that comments associated with my name on the account Roki zw are not being made by me, Rockford Josphat, better known by my stage name Roki. I do not have an active YouTube account.

My official social media accounts are Facebook — Roki Josphats Official @rokijosphatofficial and Instagram — roki_zw.

Any other account claiming to be run by me apart from the ones above should be ignored.

This “ghost” account is misrepresenting the respect given to our head of State, Honourable President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the hit song Patati Patata and our late legend and father Dr Oliver Mtukudzi and dear colleague and brother Soul Jah Love. May the two musicians’ souls rest in peace.

The “ghost” account wrote: “Apologies to all those who were offended by Patati Patata. The shout out to the President was a way of appreciating him for honouring our father, our legend Dr, Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and Soul Jah Love Musaka.

“As a brand and artiste, Roki does not belong to any political party and the music is meant for everyone no matter which political party, race, country or tribe they belong to.”

These statements should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.

I view the comments as disrespectful and unfortunate to the honourable people mentioned and artistes and producers I worked with on the hit song Patati Patata.

It is unfortunate that a number of innocent people, including myself have fallen victim to cyber bullying and misrepresentation on social media, thus affecting their social standing, professional careers, families and reputations.

It is also sad that some media houses have published stories based on those social media posts without consulting me or my management team.

I encourage all Zimbabweans to desist from creating fake accounts that are aimed at misrepresenting other people’s professions, social standing and reputation.

I also encourage media houses and individuals to cross-check with the person involved if contents on the account they want to quote genuinely belong to that person.

Rockford Josphat