Lawi, Awilo rift rages on
Dust is refusing to settle between Lawi Group and Congolese soukous star Awilo Longomba’s management team who are at loggerheads following Awilo’s purported failure to come to Malawi for a show on Saturday.
In the latest upturn, Awilo’s team has demanded that Lawi, who was the principal organiser of the show held at Bingu International Covention Centre in Lilongwe, should make a public apology to the Congolese star for misinforming people that he was coming to perform and not as a guest.
On Monday afternoon, Leo Brown, who identifies himself as one of Awilo’s managers, shared a video on social media in which he accused Lawi of defamation and demanded an apology within 24 hours ending today or face unspecified action.
“We consider this as character defamation. If you fail to do this you will know that you are dealing with a big artist. You need to apologise to Awilo, his team, Malawians and sponsors,” he charged.
But in a separate interview, the Lilongwe hit-maker said he cannot be moved by random threats from people that he does not even know.
He said he is yet to get a formal communication from Awilo and his team as regards their failure to come to Malawi.
Lawi said: “Throughout our negotiations, there were people that we were talking to and these people have not made an attempt to talk to me.”
On the other hand, Lawi says their agreement stipulated that the 60-year-old UK-based musician was coming to perform and not as a guest. He said he has all the documentation to prove his case.
“We tried to have this show in December last year, but they messed up. This time they did the same thing. I felt they were taking Malawians for granted that’s why I spoke out. I have all the evidence to prove my case,” he said.
In an interview, lawyer and artist manager Peter Makossah said when making such agreements, there is need for artistic managers to negotiate and validate the contracts so that they are legally binding.
“There is need for both parties to agree on the terms to carry out their business. Contracts need to be legally binding. If one party breaches the terms then the other party can claim damages. An agreement is an agreement,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lawi said half of the K15 million payment he made has been refunded and he is waiting to receive the remainder. The highly-publicised show went ahead on Saturday.
