By Jane Mlambo| A Zimbabwean journalist based in Australia, Charles Dzimwasha has castigated the government over the recent onslaught against musician of the moment Winky D saying focus should be on addressing issues raised in his songs.

Winky D was recently removed from the stage by police while performing at a show Chitungwiza. The police pounced on him as he performed his controversial song Ibotso which speaks about the impact of corruption.

Speaking at an Australian radio station last week, Dzimwasha urged the government of Zimbabwe to stop its onslaught against critical voices including journalists and musicians.

“Even during the liberation struggle, music played a significant role in conscientising and mobilising the masses. It is shocking that the same people who benefitted from Thomas Mapfumo, Cde Chinx and many other musicians during the liberation struggle now want everyone quite when injustices and corruption are the order of the day,” he said.

Dzimwasha said the Emmerson Mnangagwa regime always panics even at little things like a song that speaks to issues happening in society.

“Musicians are the voice of the voiceless, whatever they sing is reflective of what is obtaining on the ground, so instead of shooting the messenger, they should deal with the issues raised,” said Dzimwasha.

“They have ruined a country that was once a gem, the human rights situation in the country is at an all time low, the economy is worse, people are suffering and they expect the whole country to cheer while they loot,” he added.

He urged Winky D and other musicians to continue standing with the masses and ignore a paranoid government that is scared of the power of music.

“Musicians should not just sing for the sake of it. They have influence and should use that influence to push government to address problems facing the nation.

“Sometimes it needs someone deemed neutral to speak out because politicians do not trust each other, so musicians are the best suited to be the voice of the voiceless by virtue of already having the ears of the nation,”

“What they are doing to Winky D with his influence among the ghetto youths will push the country into a revolution, they do not know that in attacking Winky D, they are planting anger in citizens, they should check how social media reacted to their threats on Winky D,” added Dzimwasha.