The Standard (Zimbabwe)

Freeman linked to another robbery case

- BY SINDISO DUBE BY SINDISO DUBE

DANCEHALL sensation Freeman nds himself embroiled in controvers­y again as an alleged accomplice involved in a string of robbers shot by police last week. The incident raises questions about his associatio­n with criminal activities after another ally of the musician; an armed robber was shot dead in 2021.

Ironically Freeman’s 2021 album is titled ‘Robbery’.

In a swift operation, police in Harare thwarted a potential crime spree by apprehendi­ng a group of suspected criminals. Two individual­s believed to be part of a cross-border robbery ring were neutralise­d during an encounter while four others were apprehende­d following a subsequent shootout at a local guest house.

In a statement, national police spokespers­on Assistant Commission­er Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police con rms the death of Jabulani Ngobeni aged 45 and Godknows Machingura aged 44 during a shoot-out incident in Arcadia, Harare and the arrest of Ndiafhi Makhado aged 39, Andrew Masubelele aged 38, Paul Zhou aged 55 and Emmanuel Makamo aged 22 for conspiracy to commit armed robbery in Kwekwe on December 19, 2023.

Machingura is a well-known socialite and music promoter who lived a lavish life and was a wellknown friend of Freeman. Their pictures and videos are being shared on social media with many questionin­g Freeman’s associatio­n with criminals.

In 2021 a picture of Freeman and Charles Chirara, one of the three robbers gunned down during a Chadcombe shoot-out cirting culated on social media with both incidents happening a few days after the release of the album ‘Robbery’, prompting detectives from the CID Homicide Section calling him (Freeman) in for questionin­g to elucidate his associatio­n with the criminals.

Sources close to the investigat­ions said when he was questioned, Freeman revealed that the picture was taken sometime in 2016 and that he personally knew Chirara as a fan and voluntary show bouncer.

He said Chirara, who was shot dead by former CID detective Joseph Nemaisa, used to attend his shows as a fan and didn’t know that Chirara was an armed robber.

Social media users have questioned the coincidenc­e of the shootings of Freeman’s armed robber friends and his album ‘Robbery’ with many suggesting that the inspiratio­n for the album came from the musician’s real life experience­s and associatio­n with robbers.

The Robbery video shows Freeman gethimself into a robbery activity in a bid to make money so that he can take care of his girlfriend, who is taking care of his bedridden father. Businessma­n and Freeman’s friend Tinashe Mutarisi plays the lead role in the video as the robbery mastermind.

GATEWAY Streams Media joined music icon Winky D in unveiling the supporting acts for his epic Ghettocrac­y Score show, set to ring in the 2024 New Year at the Harare Internatio­nal Conference Centre (HICC).

Fans should get ready to witness the energy of Exq, the lyrical prowess of Killer

T, the smooth flow of Master

H, the vibrant grooves of Tocky Vibes, the infectious beats of Bazooker, and the explosive rhymes of rising star

Bling 4.

These acts promise to ignite the

HICC stage with their diverse artistry, creating the perfect prelude to Winky D's highly-awaited set. Whispers swirl about a potential album launch during the night, adding an electrifyi­ng layer of anticipati­on to the event. Standard tickets are priced at US$20, while VIP access comes in at US$50. Organisers urge fans to secure their tickets early, as the HICC might just get flooded with Winky D devotees come showtime. The HICC holds a special place in Winky D's history. It's where he unveiled his last album, Eureka Eureka and Njema, leaving the audiences stunned and wanting more. Master H and Bling 4 bring fresh energy to the mix, while familiar favourites like Ex-Q, Tocky Vibes and Killer T have worked with Winky D before on Eureka Eureka.

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