FREED: Congolese Queen Of Mutwashi Tshala Muana Released From Custody

KINSHASA|SHIFTMEDIA| Rhumba legend and Congolese singer Tshala Muana was released from police custody on Tuesday after pressure from Joseph Kabila’s PPRD party.

The singer was arrested Monday in the capital Kinshasa. This followed last week’s release of her song, which was seen as critical of the government of DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi.

Tshala Muana is a known supporter of Joseph Kabila, Tshisekedi’s predecessor.

The song chides a leader who is ungrateful to his mentor. The mentor is not mentioned in the song but it is believed to be a reference to Kabila who helped Tshisekedi form a coalition that led to the formation of his government last year.

How woes started

Tshala Muana’s producer Claude Mashala said the musician was detained by National Intelligence Agency (ANR) officers over a controversial song titled ‘Ingratitude’ which she released online last weekend.

Mashala said  the 62-year-old frail artist was “treated like a criminal, regardless of her state of health.”

She was arrested in Kinshasa amid speculation over the ‘deeper meaning’ or interpretation of lyrics which appear to have rattled some government officials.

Relatives of the popular musician said agents from the ANR took her away in Kinshasa, saying she was wanted for questioning.

The name of the mentor is not revealed in the song but it is perceived to be Joseph Kabila, the President’s predecessor and who helped Tshisekedi form a government after arranging a coalition.

Tshala Muana is known publically as a strong supporter Joseph Kabila and his PPRD (People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy), party.

In the song, the singer evokes the story of a man who shines with a lack of recognition after having benefited a lot from his mentor.

Supporters of Tshisekedi, currently at odds with Joseph Kabila’s camp, believe the song is targeting the president.

The government has since banned the song from playing on local radio stations.