Promoter flees with Toni Braxton cash

LOCAL music promoter, Bernie Bismarck's BD Promotions failed to pay National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) royalties worth $15 000 after successfully bringing in Toni Braxton and Babyface to perform in the country.

According to the Standard, Promoters bringing in foreign artistes are supposed to pay a certain amount of money to NACZ. Acting minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Walter Mzembi on Friday confirmed the development during the launch of Sungura-ace Peter Moyo's album entitled Mabasa aMwari.

Mzembi said the promoter approached him for help to plead with NACZ to be allowed to bring the artistes into the country and pay them after the show.

Surprisingly, the promoter disappeared after the concert and has still not been found, nine days after the show, the minister said.

Mzembi said following this development, he would in future refrain from assisting any music promoters asking for help to bring in foreign artistes to Zimbabwe.