Kelly Khumalo was removed from the Tribute to Women lineup, the festival, presented by Malibongwe Arts Festival, that will take place at the Emmarentia Botanical Gardens on Saturday, 12 August.
The award-winning singer was scheduled to perform alongside Mafikizolo, Pabi Cooper, Amanda Black, Nkosazana Daughter, Kabza De Small, Vusi Nova and Sjava.
In light of the current trial into the murder of her then-boyfriend and soccer star Senzo Meyiwa at her mother’s Vosloorus home in October 2014, festival organisers confirmed Khumalo’s removal in a statement on Monday.
“We have noted, with concern, various comments on social media platforms and call from many patrons of our festival. We respect the legal processes and wish to indicate that Ms Kelly Khumalo is innocent until proven otherwise, the statement reads.
“However, in the interest of safeguarding our festival, management has taken the decision to relieve Ms Khumalo of her obligations to perform at our festival this year to afford her and her team the time they require to deal with the issues emanating from the current court proceedings.”
On Monday, the third week of the Meyiwa murder trial began with the cross-examine of Colonel Lambertus Steyn, the State’s fourth witness.
Steyn, a data analyst and investigation officer with the SAPS Cold Case Unit, testified last week that accused number five Fisokuhle Ntuli had called Kelly twice prior to the footballer’s death.
Ntuli’s defence attorney, Advocate Zandile Mshololo, however, found flaws in Steyn’s testimony on Monday.
Steyn acknowledged that the phone number he claimed belonged to Ntuli in court was not RICA’d under the suspect when Adv. Mshololo questioned him about it.
In addition, Steyn stated that no one in the Khumalo household called an ambulance or the police after Meyiwa was shot.
In what is thought to have been a botched robbery, the football star was fatally shot at Kelly’s mother’s home in Vosloorus. On that night, there were seven adults present. These people include Kelly, her mother Ntombi Khumalo, her sister Zandile Khumalo, Longwe Thwala Zandile’s boyfriend at the time, Meyiwa’s friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala, as well as Kelly’s two children.
Main Image: Instagram