Zambia. Was Musician Bobby East being blackmailed before sex tape went viral?

By Sylvester Munanjala

Zambian police have launched wide ranging investigations in collaboration with the Zambian Information and Communications Authority ZICTA after a sex tape involving Bobby East 32, of the XYZ Crew band went viral after it was leaked on the internet.

The police are still trying to trace who exactly leaked the 12 mins long tape on the internet which starred Bobby East and his model girlfriend Ruth Mukanga having some steamy bedroom action. Social Media site Youtube has now pulled down the video in which a seemingly drossy Bobby is struggling to “get it right” apparently unaware he was being filmed.

Bobby East with girlfriend Ruth Mukanga. Under fire after sex tape is internet hit

A Zambian police statement signed by deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga warned that “any person who takes part or has in their possession obscene material which can be in writing, drawing, painting, printed matter, pictures, posters, photographs and cinematography films or any manner whatsoever and puts them in circulation is liable for prosecution.” Pornography is banned in the east African country, a point the police statement emphasized.

“Our appeal to the Zambian people is that let them be responsible and do the right things. If something is wrong, let them do what the law says. If a wrong thing is legal in another country, let them go and do such things in other countries. We don’t condone that here in Zambia” the statement read.

Ruth who has now gone into hiding however claimed the film was shot on Bobby’s phone that went missing and they were being blackmailed.

“Those who know me know that I’m innocent. This whole thing is messed up and being misjudged. Someone stole Bobby’s phone last year with the video in it and started blackmailing us for a large ransom in exchange for the phone and video” she told journalists. She also refused to accept the tape should be classified as pornography “There was no real sex in the video; it was all simulated sex and no actual penetration took place. In short, we were just pretending to have sex. We were intoxicated and the video was meant to be deleted before someone stole the phone…” She said.

Bobby and Ruth have now deleted their facebook accounts following an avalanche of attacks and condemnation of their action.

Some critics have directed their attacks at the supposed “inaction” of Bobby in the tape claiming he failed to live up to his macho man image he raps about in his music.

“That’s the most boring porn video I’ve ever watched. Bobby East raps about being tough but he is no good in the bedroom. He should just stop rapping and try something else.” Bridget Mhango told Iroko Magazine in the capital Lusaka.

The critics have also now started describing anything associated with laziness, boredom, unexciting etc as ‘Bobby East’ or ‘Bobby Easting.’

Stella Makandu was even more critical. “The girl is just stupid… She’s just an attention seeker. She wants to win enough popularity before the next pageant so that she can win.”

In the face of massive criticism, Bobby does have support among some fellow musicians. Mark Mulaza Kaira aka Marky2 defended him in his twitter account saying most of the criticism was unnecessary because everybody has sinned and have secrets they will want to hide.

Mwila Musonda aka Slap Dee, CEO and Founder of the XYZ crew is still standing by Bobby. In a statement in Hip-hop Journal, he said Bobby never intended the video for public consumption and some critics were using it to get back at the band.

“I’m sure everyone down there (arch rivals) were waiting for this moment to come. You never know how much hate there is until opportunity presents itself for haters to talk bad about you. The kid (Bobby) was just playing, I’m sure he can do better than that.

Two months ago, a video was uploaded online showing how a woman was stripped naked and beaten severely apparently for sleeping with a married man.

Bobby East. Hate Mail