Rapper Fredokiss, who was arrested on Tuesday, has been charged with the offense of offering handouts during elections time contrary to Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Act (PPEA).
The artist was arrested in Rumphi by Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers and was subsequently handed over to police. He is currently being kept at Rumphi Police station as he awaits his appearance in court.
The rapper has since been freed on bail. According to Rumphi Police Station public Relations Officer Henry Mnjere the rapper was granted a court bail yesterday shortly after being formaly charged.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Noel Kayira confirmed the charge the artist is facing which is against Section 115 of the PPEA and Section 41 of the Political Parties Act. The two acts prohibit people from offering inducement to people during voting.
According to Kayira, the maximum penalty for contravening the law is a charge of K500 000 and a two year custodial sentence while the Political Parties Act attracts a fine of K10 million and a five year custodial sentence.
Kayira said: “As you can see they are two separate Acts that we are considering there. So, after all investigations have been concluded, a consolidated charge will be brought before him. At the moment that is the information we can give to the public.”
He said as police they are committed to following up on every case related to the Fresh Presidential Elections.
Fredokiss, real name Fred Penjani Kalua, is son to Cabinet minister Kamlepo Kalua and was arrested along two others.
Over the years, the rapper has built his status and brand as a champion of the youth. His rising profile earned him a number of corporate deals in which he was chosen as a brand ambassador for a number of agencies and organisations.
His rise in popularity culminated in his contesting as member of Parliament for Blantyre City South constituency during last year’s tripartite elections as an independent candidate in which he narrowly came second to winner Noel Lipipa.
Renowned writer and arts commentator Wonderful Mkhutche in an interview said the arrest may be a huge blow on his emerging brand as an artist for the self-styled ghetto king whom the youth looked up to as a role model.
