M-Net's Zambezi Magic (DStv 160) channel has now - begrudingly - removed the controversial Lusaka Hustle reality show from its schedule, as ordered by Zambia's broadcasting regulator over allegedly promoting "gay tendencies", with the pay-TV operator saying it will appeal and that it is still unclear about what in the TV show contravenes Zambian law.
The removal of Lusaka Hustle is effectively censoring and barring the programme for DStv subscribers in countries across the entire Southern Africa region, not just Zambia.
It's the latest example of Africa's encroaching television censorship creep, with the latest TV ban coming from Zambia's broadcasting regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), that ordered Lusaka Hustle off the air, over allegedly showing and promoting "gay tendencies".
Lusaka Hustle that started on 24 January, initially got in the crosshairs Godfridah Sumaili, Zambia's minister for religious affairs and national guidance, who complained that Lusaka Hustle features a character with "gay tendencies" and wearing a dress - a complaint that went viral on social media.
Social media amplified the outrage about the programme that follows three local, flamboyant Zambian celebrities and their drama-filled daily lives - Thandi Vundamina, Cleo Ice Queen and the singer Kuni (Mukuni Godfrey Mulundika), with Kuni who appears in Lusaka Hustle's promotional poster art in a flowing white robe.
Some viewers were disturbed that Kuni wore a dress in a recent episode while doing a spa day in Lusaka.
It is the second censorship of content on Zambezi Magic since the debut of the M-Net packaged and produced channel that is meant as a Southern African version of South Africa's successful Mzansi Magic channel.
In November 2017 the show Talk with Kwangu was censored and pulled off the air on Zambezi Magic, following Zambian government interference and pressure.
Zambezi Magic is aimed at helping producers in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Eswatini to get their original content from their countries on the air for local DStv audiences to enjoy.
MultiChoice carries only one channel feed for Africa - in some cases two - from a channel distributor, meaning that content on a channel - for instance E! Entertainment (DStv 124) or Disney Channel (DStv 303) - ordered to be censored and dumped in for instance Kenya, makes it unavailable in South Africa and a range of other African countries outside of where the censorship takes place.
With Lusaka Hustle now removed on Zambezi Magic for Zambia's DStv subscribers, it becomes unavailable for viewers in every other country where Zambezi Magic is carried since it's the same single channel feed viewed in all the countries.
Timothy Okwaro, head of Zambezi Magic, in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus on Friday morning said that "Zambezi Magic wishes to inform viewers of our decision to temporarily suspend scheduling the show Lusaka Hustle".
"We are proud to be associated with the show, which aimed to bring great reality television to Zambia audiences."
"All our programming is rigorously checked, and we are still unclear about which aspects of the show contravene Zambian law. Zambezi Magic, together with the cast and crew, wishes to thank our viewers for all their support and we look forward to returning to our normal scheduling soon."
MultiChoice Zambia in a statement to TVwithThinus says that "with regret MultiChoice Zambia has engaged channel provider Zambezi Magic, to suspend scheduling of the Lusaka Hustle show until further notice".
"MultiChoice Zambia received a formal directive from the IBA on 12 February 2019 to suspend the show, with immediate effect, for promoting 'ideas and a lifestyle that the authority doesn't want Zambians to be exposed to' ".
"We are facilitating compliance with the directive but will follow the appeal procedure set out in the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act to get clarity on the correct interpretation of the law. We remain committed to the promotion of local content and respect for the law."
Zambia's IBA didn't respond to emailed media enquiries.
