Local rapper Sjava has been pulled from the Cape Town International Jazz Festival line-up, festival organisers confirmed on Monday night.
In a tweet posted on the official Cape Town International Jazz Festival account, festival organisers announced that “due to the seriousness of the allegations levelled against Sjava” they have decided to pull his performance from the line-up.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the seriousness of the allegations levelled against Sjava, the Management of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has withdrawn Sjava’s performance from the CTIJF 2020 line up. #CTIJF2020 - CAPE TOWN JAZZ FEST (@CTJazzFest)
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the seriousness of the allegations levelled against Sjava, the Management of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has withdrawn Sjava’s performance from the CTIJF 2020 line up. #CTIJF2020
— CAPE TOWN JAZZ FEST (@CTJazzFest) March 2, 2020
Sunday World this weekend reported that Lady Zamar had filed a charge of rape against Sjava.
The issue relates to a lengthy and very revealing Twitter thread penned by the Love Is Blind singer last year.
In it, Lady Zamar revealed the “pain she had suffered” while in a relationship with him and alleged that she had been assaulted and abused by Sjava.
Zamar also claimed that she did not know that Sjava was married while they were a couple.
Lady Zamar did not name Sjava, but social media users believed she was referring to him, especially since she referred to his concert.
The star also said that she was surprised to be invited to Sjava’s concert, A Night With Sjava, at Pretoria’s Sun Arena.
Lady Zamar, whose real name is Yamikani Janet Banda, ended the thread by saying that she forgave Sjava for her own sake after going to therapy.
“We don’t talk, and I honestly forgave him coz my gosh, I’d die if I didn’t”.
Sjava later responded saying: “As a final statement on this matter, I write to you as my colleagues, business partners, peers and supporters to inform you that I will not be engaging on matters of assault and abuse levelled against me on social media or any other platform.”
“I have instituted legal pro-ceedings in the high court of SA and as such, the matter is now sub judice.”