Sjava update: DStv drops singer from major awards, cancels performance

A day after releasing a statement that outlined his version of the events that took place between house vocalist Lady Zamar during their two-year relationship, Jabulani “Sjava” Hadebe has been stripped of two major nominations from the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards.

 Hadebe was nominated in the favourite musician and song of the year categories for his hit-track uMama off his sophomore album, Umqhele. To date, the Afro-soul musician has won best Afro-pop album and album of the year at the South African Music Awards (Samas) and was expected to be a serious contender at the DStv Awards. 

MultiChoice South Africa executive head of corporate affairs Reggy Molausi issued a statement that the company had also opted to drop Sjava from its performance line-up on the night of the awards ceremony. 

Ongoing investigation

“The DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards has decided to withdraw the nomination of local artist Jabulani Hadebe, popularly known as Sjava, from this year’s awards. This as a result of an ongoing investigation into the local performer by the authorities.

“The decision to remove Sjava’s eligibility, including cancelling his performance at the awards, is not one that has been made lightly, but we believe is in the best interest of all parties concerned,” said Molausi. 

Sjava slams allegations

Hadebe denied allegations brought forth by his ex-girlfriend Yamikani “Lady Zamar” Banda. 

“On 5 December 2019, I met with police officers from Thohoyandou police station. They asked [me] about the night [in September 2017] that Lady Zamar accuses me of raping her and asked for a statement,” Sjava wrote.

“I gave my statement. They also got statements from some witnesses who were with us on our way, during and coming back from the trip.

“The police told me that I had not been charged and that they were, at this stage, only gathering evidence and statements so that they could send it to the prosecuting authority who would decide if the case should be charged and prosecuted.”

The 2018 Bet Best International Act winner said he had served legal letters of defamation of character on Banda after she tweeted in October 2019 that she was abused by him. 

Cape Town International Jazz Festival performance cancelled

The Cape Town Jazz Festival also indicated that it would no longer host Hadebe after an executive decision taken by its management. 

“Over the last 20 years, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has provided a platform to empower and showcase female artists. Due to the serious nature of the allegation levelled against Sjava, the festival management has decided to cancel the artist’s performance at the 2020 festival,” read a statement.