Dru Hill event agent arrested in Lilongwe
Police in Lilongwe on Friday arrested 38-year-old Archbald Tigere, who was contracted to bring in an American group Dru Hill to perform at Umodzi Park on Saturday night.
According National Police spokesperson Nicolas Gondwa, Tigere was arrested for obtaining money by false pretence after he pocketed $35 000 (about K21 million) from Temwa Kanjaza, who was organising the event.
“The contract soured when Kanjaza learnt that Dru Hill is not coming to Malawi while the money was already paid to Tigere’s company, Tigere Media TV and Events. She then reported to police; hence, the arrest. Archbald Tigere, who hails from Midland in South Africa, is being kept at Lingadzi Police Station,” said Gondwa on Sunday.
The R’n’B group was heading to Malawi for a one-night-only performance at the Malawi Square at Umodzi Park in Lilongwe.
But with just hours to go, the much publicised gig was cancelled due to disagreements between the artists and the South African promoter.
“Disappointingly, Tigere Media, a South African-based promoter has cancelled the Dru Hill concert scheduled to take place at Umodzi Park on December 12. A dispute between the artist and Tigere Media, resulted in the unfortunate cancellation of the concert,” reads a statement from Peermont Hotel, managers of Umodzi Park.
The news, early Friday afternoon, came as a bitter pill as some fans were actually on the way from other parts of Malawi travelling to Lilongwe for the gig.
According to the statement: “Those who have already purchased tickets through the various selling points in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu will receive a full refund.”
Meanwhile, Dru Hill also announced the cancellation of their Malawi show in a single tweet.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we won’t be performing in Malawi. We are just as disappointed as you are!” reads a tweet on the group’s official Twitter handle @DruHill4Real. n
