Musician Freeman questioned by police over links to deceased armed robbery suspect

ZIMSPHERE 

HARARE – Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have confirmed that popular Zimdancehall musician Emegy Chizanga, known by his stage name 'Freeman', is currently under investigation for his alleged association with armed robbery suspects. The 34-year-old artist is being interviewed by the Criminal Investigation Department's Homicide division.

In a post on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the police said, "The ZRP confirms that musician Energy Chizanga (34) aka 'Freeman' (sic) is currently being interviewed by CID Homicide in connection with ongoing investigations into criminal allegations and association with armed robbery suspects." 

The police have promised to provide more details as the investigation progresses.

The investigation follows the circulation of photographs showing Freeman with Godknows Machingura, a suspected armed robber who was killed in a shootout with detectives in Harare in December 2023.

Freeman's representatives have stated that his relationship with Machingura, a music promoter based in South Africa, was strictly professional. 

Freeman claims to have first met Machingura in 2017 when he promoted his debut show in Durban, South Africa. 

Like many local artists, Freeman performed in South Africa under the sponsorship of Machingura.

Through his lawyer, Dumisani Mthombeni, Freeman stated that he only posted images of Machingura on his social media platforms to express gratitude for Machingura's sponsorship of his music video "Unobvuma Here", which features Nox.

Machingura, a Durban resident, was known for promoting several Zimbabwean musicians and frequently posted photos with them on his social media platforms.

In a recent statement, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed that Machingura and a South African national, Jabulani Ngobeni (45), were killed during a shootout with detectives in Arcadia, Harare. 

Prior to the incident, Machingura was reportedly in Shamva, monitoring a potential target before being lured to Harare where the fatal shootout occurred.