Tanzania's National Arts Council, Basata, has fined Bongo musicians Harmonize and Nandy, along with a music video director and two event organisers, a total of Sh19 million (Ksh. 930,000) for breaching ethical and regulatory requirements. The fines were imposed for separate cases involving a music video, a performance at the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final, and an arts event held without a permit.
Harmonize, whose real name is Rajab Abdul Kahali, and music video director Kennedy David Sanga, each received the largest individual penalties of Sh5 million (Ksh. 244,000). This was due to the video for Harmonize's song 'Kudos', which Basata said violated Regulation 20(a) of the National Arts Council Regulations. The regulation covers content that violates the dignity of listeners or viewers.
According to Basata, Harmonize's video completely failed to observe the ethics of Tanzanian society. The council stated that Harmonize had not submitted a defence or alternative explanation by the time it reached its decision. As a result, Basata ordered him to remove the video from his social media platforms, pay the Sh5 million fine within 14 days, and refrain from engaging in artistic activities until he complied with the decision.
Singer Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known as Nandy, was fined Sh3 million over her attire during a performance at the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final. Basata said she wore clothing that was not considered decent and violated the dignity of viewers. However, unlike Harmonize and Mr Sanga, Nandy admitted the offence, removed the video from her social media platforms, and paid the fine.
The Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final incident also resulted in a Sh3 million fine against Millen Privé & Co. Lifestyle Limited, the event organiser. Basata held the company responsible for allowing the alleged ethical violation to occur during the event. The company was ordered to pay the fine within 14 days of the decision.
Avil Contractors Company Ltd, the organiser of Miss Grand Tanzania, received a Sh3 million fine for holding the competition without an event permit from Basata. The council served the company with a notice of the alleged offence on August 12, 2026, and gave it 21 days to submit its defence, but it failed to do so.
The five cases bring the total value of fines imposed by Basata to Sh19 million. The council's enforcement action aims to ensure that artists and stakeholders in the creative industry comply with laws, regulations, guidelines, and ethical standards governing artistic activities in Tanzania.
Key points
- Basata fines Bongo musicians Harmonize and Nandy, and others, Ksh.930k for ethics violations.
- The fines were imposed for separate cases involving a music video, a performance, and an arts event held without a permit.
- The council's enforcement action aims to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing artistic activities in Tanzania.
