Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Reverend Godfridah Sumaili says South Africa’s gay media personality Somizi Mhlongo will not be allowed to make an appearance at this year’s Lusaka July show.

Event Organisers, PR Girl Media, announced this week that Somizi had been invited as their special guest at this year’s Lusaka July.

“It’s not a secret anymore, an invitation has been sent out to fashion icon Somizi to attend the Lusaka July 2019. We are just as anxious as you are for a YES!,” PR Girl said in a Facebook post.

The 46-year-old is famous as a choreographer, actor, socialite and Idols South Africa judge.

He got engaged to his boyfriend Mohale Tebogo Motaung in France last year.

Somizi is one of the most high-profile gay celebrities in South Africa.

But Rev Sumaili says Somizi won’t be allowed in the country because he “promotes homosexuality and immoral behaviour”.

“When people come from outside to show their gifting, it has to benefit it us. So in this case, to begin with Zambia is a Christian nation and even in the constitution, homosexuality is a crime. So you have to look at it from that, we will not allow [just] anything to come. It will not be allowed,” said Rev Sumaili in an interview.

“So we shall not allow such a thing to happen, there has been an outcry from people and that is why we have been meeting with National Arts Council that whenever they want to permit someone to come here and grace an event, they are screened. We shall not allow such an individual (Somizi Mhlongo) because homosexuality is a crime.”

In March 2018, the Immigration Department deported South African entertainer Zodwa Wabantu after
Rev Sumaili declared that she would not be allowed to perform in Zambia because she would corrupt people’s morals.