The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has banned Diamond’s song ‘Mtasubiri’ from all mainstream media over what it termed as disrespect to the church.
Through a statement seen by Standard Entertainment, TCRA noted that the song, featuring Zuchu, which was released just over a month ago and has over 10million views at the moment, has a scene where the cast is singing in church but promptly leave to pursue other things.
It is reported that the song has fueled debate among some members of the clergy as it seemingly shows disrespect.
“Mamlaka ya Mawasiliaono Tanzania (TRCA), imepokea taarifa kutoka Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA) ya kuzuia usambazaji wa video ya wimbo wa Wanii tajwa juu unaopigwa katika mitandao ya kijamii na vyombo vya utangazaji.
Msanii tajwa hapo juu ametoa video ya wimbo unaofahamika kama ‘Mtasubiri sna’ an katika video hiyo kuna kipande kimeonyesha wahusika wapo kanisani wanaimba kwaya lakini baadae Wakaacha na kuelekea kwingine. Kipande hicho cha video kimeleta ukakasi miongoni mwa waumini wa Madhehebu ya dini na kuleta hisia kwamba ni dharau ya dini/madhehebu Fulani,” reads part of the TRCA letter.
Diamond has been directed to edit out that part of the video for it to be played on mainstream media again.
This is not the first time Diamond’s video has caused a stir, two months ago, his song Gidi was also put on the spot after hawk-eyed netizens noticed a confederate flag.
Also known as the Southern Cross, the history of the flag dates back to the 1860s when eleven southern states seceded from the United States to protect the institution of slavery, forming the Confederate States of America and sparking the U.S. Civil War.
After the war, their flag was adopted as a symbol of Southern heritage at the same time as it represented slavery and white supremacy.
In 2015, a man identified as Dylann Roof killed nine civilians at a church in Charleston, South Carolina and later, images went round showing him carrying the Confederate flag.
It was consequently retired that year and retailers stopped selling merchandise that had the flag.
Controversy still surrounds the flag and although some think it represents heritage, others strongly believe it symbolizes racism.
Diamond’s video elicited a lot of reactions online and while some did not blame him, others said he should have been wiser to understand the implications of using the flag.
