Pilato: Zambian prisons are hell

The rapper is facing charges of illegally participating in a December 2017 protest against the government's procurement of 42 fire-brigade tenders. In January, Pilato, whose real name is Fumba Chama, sought refuge in South Africa after his song ‘Koswe Mumpoto’ (Rat in the Pot) was seen as direct criticism of President Edgar Lungu. This prompted the youth wing of the ruling Patriotic Front party to denounce the song, which was followed by threats on the musician's life.

“It is true that I left Zambia because my life was threatened after releasing the ‘Koswe Mumpoto’ song," Pilato told Music In Africa in February.

The artist, who was released on bail early last week, said he would continue exercising his rights.

“Nothing physical can change, intimidate or compromise my convictions," he told Music In Africa on Thursday. “It [the imprisonment] was terrible but necessary for my mind. I'm more inspired now than I was before my imprisonment; I am more passionate. Our prisons are examples of what hell is like. If you've been in a Zambian prison, you've been to hell.”

Commenting on the charges levelled against him, Pilato said: “I've been charged for disobeying unlawful orders, when the police tried to stop me and my colleagues from protesting against corruption.

“I was ordered to find two sureties who are managers in a reputable organisation. I was released on $3 000 on my own recognisance. I have to consistently make myself available to the courts for all the hearings.”

But the singer believes that ‘Koswe Mumpoto’ is the real reason the government is after him. “It is my song that brought to life the case that the state could not prosecute," he said.

Meanwhile, chimurenga musician Thomas Mapfumo, who fled Zimbabwe for the US in 2005 after the release of his song ‘Hokoyo’ (Watch Out), decried the Zambian government's stance on Pilato.

“The Zambian government is targeting people like Pilato because they are standing up and demanding accountability from their government,” Mapfumo, who recently performed in his home country for the first time in more than 10 years, said.

“Pilato is a victim of a government that is trying to consolidate its base through the limiting of freedom of expression and in this case artistic expression. He is not a criminal. Instead of targeting criminals who are eroding state institutions, they are using him as a scapegoat. He must be released immediately and unconditionally,” he said before Pilato's release last week.

Freemuse, an independent international organisation advocating for and defending freedom of artistic expression, called on the Zambian government to stop harassing artists.

“It is concerning that Zambian authorities are denying citizens the right to artistic and political expression, especially when it is expressed through social media or peaceful protest," Freemuse executive director Dr Srirak Plipat said.

"The silencing of artists through threats and persecution is creating an environment of fear in Zambia, which limits the freedom of artists to express themselves. We call on President Lungu to uphold the human rights protected under the international standards Zambia has signed on to and value such rights."

Pilato is expected to be back in court on 25 June.