Music shows fall prey to targeted thefts
Live music events are increasingly becoming a danger to patrons due to targeted and systematic thefts.
Vehicle break-ins, muggings, phone, wallet and purse thefts have often left fun lovers reconsidering their decisions to patronise entertainment events. Even the artists themselves have not been spared the wrath of these crimes.
In 2022, Black Missionaries Band keyboardist Chizondi Fumulani’s mobile phone was stolen at Robin’s Park in Blantyre during the release of their Kuyimba 11 album. The Chileka-based artist has expressed concern with the continuing trend.
He said: “The trend is sad and sickening. Long time ago, we believed pick-pocketers are those who do not have money to pay at the gate. But nowadays, they travel long distances just to do that.
“They think that they will recover their money at the end of the day. It shows they are organised gangs.”
During last year’s Sand Music Festival in Mangochi, police arrested a Lilongwe-based gang at a lodge in Mangochi believed to have stolen at the event.
On Monday, Police in Kasungu arrested six people suspected to have been behind the theft of 50 mobile phones and power banks at a show in Mzuzu featuring Zambian artist Yo Maps.
The situation was equally worse on Friday at Scallas’ Cafe in Blantyre during a similar show where similar incidents were also reported.
Renowned event promoter MacDonald Soko yesterday said if the trend is uncurbed, it will affect the entertainment industry.
“These are cartel guys. They are organised and we need to crack on them. We need coordination from the police,” he said.
He said some people who used to patronise shows have since stopped because they do not feel safe.
Entertainers Promotions chief executive Tonderai Banda said there is need for introspection.
“Trends are showing that these thefts are worse during shows involving international artists. It is worse when we work with some security companies. We need to check if these groups are complicit to these acts,” he said.
Blantyre-based fun lover Patrick Langwe said: “What is happening during these shows is retrogressive. You are never sure whether your car or gadgets will be safe. Event organisers will start incurring losses when people boycott the shows.”
