Tanzanian music star apologizes for Instagram kiss that got him arrested

Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz, real name Nasseb Abdul, has been hurled before the country’s communications regulator over a video he posted on Instagram on Monday which was described as indecent and a violation of the recently passed online content regulation.

The video, which showed him in bed with two women and playfully kissing one of them, got him briefly arrested on Tuesday and then released on bail after interrogation.

He appeared before the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) on Tuesday where he was questioned. The artist rendered an apology for posting the video which was deleted after his arrest.

“I’ve had a long conversation with the authorities and I have learnt that what I did was not right. As a role model to many young people, not just in Tanzania but across the continent, posting a private moment was irresponsible of me,” he is quoted by the BBC after he spoke with reporters.

Diamond was not the only artist who visited the TCRA on Thursday, female singer Faustina Charles who goes by the stage name Nandy was also questioned over an “indecent” video of her posted by an unknown person. She has also apologized for it, reports local media The Citizen.

If found guilty, the artists will pay a fine of $2,200 or spend time in jail for at least 12 months, or both.

Rights activists have complained about the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (2010) which requires bloggers and online content creators to pay $900 annually to run their content online.

The law stifles dissent and is a violation of freedom of expression, many activists complained.