Zimbabwean hip-hop artist Holy Ten has been dropped from the lineup of the upcoming Traffic Lights event, scheduled for 9 August at Propaganda in Pretoria, South Africa, following his recent court appearance on allegations of rape.
Event organisers, Oil Company Promotions, confirmed the decision, saying they had opted to replace the rapper while allowing the legal process to run its course. Junior Spragga and Raymer have been announced as his replacements on the bill.
"We have decided to allow the law and the courts to take their course. At the same time, we did not want to cancel the event, so we have come up with a new lineup," said Bonfree Matavanda of Oil Company Promotions.
Holy Ten, born Mukudzei Chitsama, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court after being charged with allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl. Prosecutors allege the incident occurred at his Hatfield residence after the teenager, whom he allegedly met through social media, was invited to participate in an upcoming music video.
The 27-year-old musician was granted US$500 bail by magistrate Jesse Kufa, with conditions that he surrender his passport, refrain from interfering with State witnesses, and report to the police once every week.
The matter has been remanded to August 7 as investigators await forensic and age-verification reports.
He is represented by Harare lawyer Admire Rubaya.
The latest development adds to a series of controversies that have surrounded the award-winning rapper in recent years.
Holy Ten has previously drawn public attention over his political affiliations, including a period of self-imposed exile in South Africa following a social media outburst in which he made threats against members of Zimbabwe's First Family and security services before later apologising.
He has also been involved in high-profile disputes within the entertainment industry, including public feuds with fellow musicians and controversy stemming from comments made during a podcast interview, which led to legal consequences for the show's host under Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act.
It remains unclear whether Holy Ten will face further cancellations as the criminal case proceeds.