Why was the eThekwini Municipality splashing out R700 000 of ratepayers’ money on hosting a convicted woman beater, US pop star Chris Brown?
This was the burning question raised by the DA on Tuesday when it protested that the city should not support an event that would see the superstar perform at Durban’s People’s Park over the Easter weekend.
A report requesting the amount for the event was tabled before the city executive committee. This was for logistics, venue hire and marketing.
The event is part of Brown’s X Tour Live, a world tour promoting his sixth studio album, X.
The concert will be Brown’s second performance in Durban following the 2012 Chris Brown Carpe Diem SA tour.
In 2009 Brown assaulted pop singer Rihanna, his girlfriend at the time. He was later convicted and sentenced to five years’ probation and six months’ community service.
In 2013 Brown was in trouble with the law again. He and his bodyguard were found guilty of an assault. Again he escaped jail time.
In backing the event the report stated the city would receive benefits such as “destination marketing” and “other benefits”.
Heinz De Boer said: “I’m going to take a moral stand on that – he got locked up in 2011 and in 2013. He was indicted for felony assault.”
He said Brown was lucky that he was allowed into the country.
“If Mr Brown wants to come here and have a concert in SA, then he must pay his own R700 000 for the stadium.
“We in the DA don’t support people that beat up women. I don’t care what the economic benefit of the event is.
“This gentleman has a history of being violent towards women and I don’t think we should be supporting him.”
ANC councillors laughingly dismissed De Boer’s stance.
Deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala joked: “Let us congratulate the women protected by you.”
ANC councillor Nigel Gumede said: “Let us be fair. We are doing business. I don’t know how many people we are doing business with are involved in things that you could never even mention … Let us not single him out.”
IFP caucus leader Mdu Nkosi supported the report but requested clarity on the projected benefits.
In January, following news that Brown would perform in the country, acclaimed intellectual and feminist academic Pumla Gqola lashed out at those who would flock to the shows.
She said buying a ticket for Brown’s shows meant South African fans supported the pop star with full knowledge of his record.
The Mercury