Johannesburg – music sensation Kelly Khumalo has lost out on another music gig because of adverse publicity relating to a murder trial she is attending.
She is a witness in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria trial of five men accused of killing her boyfriend Senzo Meyiwa, the Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, who was shot in her Vosloorus home on October 26, 2014.
The Maseru Jazz Festival said it had taken the decision to distance itself from the brouhaha surrounding the case.
In a statement, the festival confirmed that Khumalo would no longer be part of their line-up.
“We have seen comments on social media about one of our guest performers, which came to attention that we need to inform our public and society that we are putting Kelly Khumalo on hold. We respect the professionalism of the legal team on the processes.
“The management of Maseru Park, in the interest of our jazz festival, have taken the decision to relieve Kelly Khumalo of the obligation to perform at our festival. Thank you for your understanding.” The announcement comes barely a week after the Tribute To Women festival removed her from their line-up.
Like the Maseru Festival, the Tribute Women Festival said they had taken note of social media comments and that their decision had been based on safeguarding their festival.
“We have noted, with concern, various comments on social media platforms and calls from many patrons of our festival,” they said.
“We respect the legal process and wish to indicate that Ms. Kelly Khumalo is innocent until proven otherwise.
“However, in the interest of safeguarding our festival, management has taken the decision to relieve Khumalo of her obligations to perform at our festival this year to afford her and her team the time they require to deal with the issues emanating from the current court proceedings.”
The Star