Freshlyground Were Denied Permit – HIFA

The Harare International Festival of the Arts has confirmed the government’s position that Freshlyground were unable to obtain temporary work permits to perform this year

According HIFA head of media and community liaison, Tafadzwa Simba,  Freshlyground were denied this permit on the 28th of April, a day before the festival kicked off. The festival immediately issued an appeal but it was unsuccessful with no reason being given.

The show had been OK’ed by all relevant arts and tax bodies before being knocked back by immigration.

Speculation was rife that group had been excluded at the 11th hour for different reasons and blame has been thrown around.

Freshlyground have not performed in Zimbabwe since they released a song making fun of Zimbabwe’s president Mugabe.

With information from Daily News.

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