IFP calls for fight against piracy

Inkatha Freedom Party calls on government to do more in eradicating music piracy in honour of late jazz legend, Thandi Klaasen who passed away on Sunday and other fallen music legends.

IFP National Chairperson Mr Blessed Gwala sent words of condolences to the families of the deceased and said it’s not enough if government is still failing to protect musicians from this deadly virus of music piracy that is depriving artists of legitimate revenue.

“In every street corner in towns and cities you find people selling illegal copies of music cd’s and DVDs for as little as R10 or R20 each, while police are doing little or nothing to arrest these charlatans who are destroying the music industry. If government truly feels the pain of losing our music legends, it’s now high time it does something to eradicate music piracy,” said Mr Blessed Gwala.

He also said everyone was crying recently for Sfiso Ncwane, Mandoza and other legends who have passed away but one wonders how many of those who were crying have let those legends down by destroying their future in supporting those who sell fake music cd’s.

Gwala said piracy is a deadly disease killing the music industry, but it takes one to say “no” to piracy.

“We call for an Anti-Music Piracy Campaign that will collaborate with law enforcement agencies through the Justice and Security Cluster. This campaign is important as music piracy has a negative impact on both our economy and the arts sector as well as our artists. We further call on the government to assist with better legislation to eradicate piracy,” concluded Mr Gwala.

Inkatha Freedom Party also sent its deepest condolences to the Klaasen family, friends and also to the music industry as a whole.