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NewsDay

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We don’t know why we were deported: Freshlyground

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SOUTH African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, who were on Sunday deported from Zimbabwe ahead of their closing act at Hifa, said they were yet to know the reason for their deportation.

SOUTH African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, who were on Sunday deported by Zimbabwean immigration authorities ahead of their closing act at the just-ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa), said they were yet to know the official reason for their deportation.

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The seven-member group was deported soon after they touched down at Harare International Airport around 1600hours.

In an interview with NewsDay yesterday, the group said they did not know why they were deported. “We were not given any reason for the deportation, but we were asked to sign a refusal of leave to enter Zimbabwe form which we refused to do as no reason was given,” said one of the members identified as Steff.

“We cannot speak as to the legality of the refusal as we were not given a reason. We are deeply disappointed that we were unable to perform and close Hifa on Sunday.”

Freshlyground remain undeterred, however, and hope that in the not too distant future they will be allowed to celebrate the love of music and freedom of expression with the people of Zimbabwe.

The group has also taken to social media using tweeter account (@FRESHLYGROUNDsa) to express disappointment over their failure to perform at the event.

“We were gutted that we could not be there to close Hifa 2014 as we were very much looking forward to being in Zimbabwe. We are hugely disappointed,” read the tweet.

“We were so excited about this show to close. It is one of our favourite gigs. For the benefit of the people, we will make it back one day. Aluta continua (The strungle continues)”

Reasons for the deportation have remained sketchy, but rumour has it that the group could have been turned away for political reasons after having produced a controversial music video, Chicken for Change 2010 in 2008, denouncing President Robert Mugabe for clinging to power.

According to a statement by Hifa, holders of Freshlyground tickets who decided not to attend the show would get a refund at the Hifa box offices starting yesterday.

The festival organisers were forced to come up with 11th hour performers made up of artistes who had previously performed after the deportation of Freshlyground.

Germany-based band Jamaram, Amara Brown, Tariro NeGitare, Bongo Love and BaShupi were among the performers while Jah Prayzah failed to make a return as announced after having performed in the afternoon.

After the main show, many revellers flocked to the Coca-Cola Green Stage for the Zim dancehall blast gig as the dancehall genre continues to get recognition.

The gig featured an array of local artistes like Killer T, Dadza D, Ricky Fire, Lady Squanda and Platinum Prince, backed by Hotta Fire band. With violence becoming the order of the day during most of the local dancehall shows, fans that thronged the venue must be applauded for their behaviour as they were no reports of the usual violence.

The show belonged to Chitungwiza-based chanter Dadza D whose energetic performance left fans clamouring for more while Ricky Fire failed to be on fire as he was booed off the stage.

Lady Squanda proved why many believe she is the local queen of dancehall with a well-polished act challenging male chanters.

The 15th edition of Hifa has been a vibrant showcase of theatre, dance, music, circus, fashion, spoken word and visual arts featuring memorable performances from both local and foreign artistes.