Koffi Olomide replaced by Werrason for Zambian concert

Olomide was initially scheduled to perform at the Chester Dean Arena in Lusaka but was dropped from the line-up after a video of him assaulting one of his female dancers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi went viral. Social media and news platforms were abuzz with complaints from the public, prompting most Kenyans to demand that Koffi be deported from the country. The musician was promptly arrested and detained in a police station at the airport before flying back home to Kinshasa on Saturday morning. 

Although initially reluctant to acknowledge any wrong-doing, the Congolese hit-maker has since apologised to all women. 

Outraged Zambian music fans demanded that he should not be permitted to perform at the popular annual event, forcing the Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia to replace him with Werrason. The society’s president, Ben Sokho, confirmed that Werrason will perform at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday 29 July, explaining that tickets which were purchased for Olomide’s show can be used at Werrason’s show.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4zrj2FZR6o autoplay:0]

Olomide, 60, is not new to controversy and has been involved in violent incidents before. In August 2012, he was given a three-month sentence for assaulting a producer in DRC. In 2008, he reportedly kicked a cameraman from private station RTGA.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Koffi has been arrested at his home capital of Kinshasa. Some reports claim that the arrest is connected to the airport assault. 

In a similar incident, notorious Zimbabwean dancehall singer Lady Squanda was abruptly withdrawn from the line-up of an upcoming concert in the UK after a video showing her assaulting comedian Tatenda Matika (aka Abra Skimbo) went viral.