LEONARD Zhakata's new album, Hodho, has been banned from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) because it contains songs perceived as not politically correct.

Silvanos Mutizwa, the Zimbabwe Music Corporation's marketing manager, said ZBC has instructed them not to include any songs from the album on the record company's sponsored programmes.

Mutizwa said: "ZBC authorities advised us to stop compiling any songs from Zhakata's new album. The two tracks they mentioned in particular were Mirira and Warrior."

"The only thing we can do now as a company is to promote the release through the print media, posters and live shows."

Mutizwa said when they sampled ZBC radio stations, the album was played for a few days before it disappeared from the air. "The album is selling and we have had several repeats."

In the track Mirira, Zhakata takes head-on those who abuse power vested in them.

Like in his 1994 hit song Mugove, the musician pleads with all the powers-that-be for spiritual, social and economic freedom.

But it is the song Warrior that should have touched ZBC authorities' nerves. The musician asks for help from an uncle who has fled the country because of violence and is working overseas. "Get me some job there because things are not well here . . ."

In Warrior Zhakata tells his uncle that the races taking place in the country were not conducted fairly because some athletes were running while their legs were tied while others were competing with their legs untied. He says people were made to run in a race which already had winners.

Produced by Zhakata and Peter Mparutsa, Hodho has six tracks - Ngoma Yenharo, Menduru, Pamusvitswa and Rangarira.

Asked to comment on the latest development, Zhakata said he was surprised that the record had been banned from radio. "I was told the album had been banned, but I am not sure why that decision has been made. The two songs pointed out, Mirira and Warrior, are just social commentaries and nothing else. Mirira is about my experience with certain sections of the media which undermined my artistic career."

Efforts to get comment from Abigail Mvududu, ZBC head of radio and television services, were fruitless as she was said to be away on business. Head of Radio Zimbabwe Dins Mutume was said to be in a meeting when The Daily News tried to contact him.