Congolese singer and convicted rapist Koffi Olomidé will not perform in South Africa after protests from enraged citizens.
A group, aptly titled the Stop Koffi Olomidé collective, initiated a campaign and petition after word got out about Olomidé’s intentions to perform at Shimmy Beach Club in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 30, reports IOL.
Olomidé was convicted of rape in France after he was accused of raping one of his former dancers when she was 15 years old, reports the BBC. He received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to pay 5,000 euros in restitution. Olomidé was not present for his trial or sentencing.
The group sent letters to the nation’s president and ministers of Home Affairs, Justice and Correctional Service and Arts and Culture to make the following demands:
- Denial of Koffi Olomidé’s entry into the country. If a visa has been granted, we request that it must be cancelled;
- Cancellation of all Koffi Olomidé shows;
- A public statement by the relevant government department notifying the public that a decision has been taken to disinvite; and
- Co-operating with Zambian authorities in the event that they request his extradition and arresting him upon arrival.
If the demands were not met, the group planned to “stage protests in Johannesburg and Cape Town in order to ensure that Koffi Olomidé is stopped from performing in this country."
On Tuesday, Shimmy Beach Club announced the performance was canceled.
“Please note that @ShimmyBeach made the decision last week not to host the Koffi Olomide event that was being run by an outside promoter,” the club tweeted.
Please note that @ShimmyBeach made the decision last week not to host the Koffi Olomide event that was being run by an outside promoter. https://t.co/Nab9W3u8nL
— Shimmy Beach Club (@ShimmyBeach) June 18, 2019
A total of four women, all former dancers, have accused him of sexual assault. The alleged incidents happened between 2002 and 2006 in France and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
