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Gospel star in piracy 'assault'

Lusanda Mcinga
Lusanda Mcinga

RENOWNED South African gospel artist, Lusanda Mcinga, is out on bail after an altercation with someone over pirated CDs.

The multi-award winning star from Willowvale, Eastern Cape, was arrested on charges of kidnapping, robbery and assault in Butterworth on Sunday and spent the day in police holding cells before appearing in court yesterday.

It is alleged that Mcinga assaulted Mzoli Vusani for allegedly selling pirated versions of her music and other artists.

The man was reportedly thrown in the back of a vehicle and driven out of town where he was assaulted.

The gospel star yesterday made a brief appearance in court and was released on R500 bail.

Leaving the Butterworth Magistrate's Court, Mcinga said she was arrested for stopping "criminals" from selling pirated music.

"We are victims of music piracy and this affects us badly and now, when we take action, we are getting arrested. I had to spend a night in a filthy police cell, it was disgusting," said Mcinga.

Outside the court, Mcinga's manager Siyabonga Ndumbu said: "Artists invest their time and money and the next thing they get this treatment.

"All we want is the community to refrain from buying pirated music.

"Look at Lusanda, she spent a night in police holding cells just for fighting for her music. She doesn't deserve this."

Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said Mcinga was expected back in court on December 9. She was not asked to plead.

Mcinga started singing gospel in 1995. The 47-year-old released her 15th album this year.

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