Some unscrupulous promoters are reportedly advertising popular artistes they do not have contracts with so that they woo huge crowds to their shows. They then announce later that the artistes failed to make it due to other commitments.

It has emerged that crowd pullers such as Alick Macheso, Peter Moyo, Jah Prayzah and Suluman Chimbetu have been advertised by many promoters while they will be performing elsewhere.

Suluman's publicist Joe Nyamungoma said that what the promoters were doing was as good as piracy.

"This is the same as piracy, there are some instances where our posters are seen in other places posted by these promoters without our knowledge . . . it's not fair it kills the careers of the artistes. I think National Arts Council of Zimbabwe should regulate the activities of these people and Zimbabwe Music Rights Association should also descend on them,"

"Zvimwe zvinhu zvinopedza simba," Nyamungoma fumed quoting Sulumani's latest song.

Jah Prayzah had no kind words for these promoters and called on to the relevant authorities to move in and arrest the situation.

"Imagine people seeing my poster in Karoi while I will be heading to perform in Mutare, the next time I put my posters in Karoi fans won't come because they think I won't pitch up," said Jah Prayzah.

Peter Moyo's manager Mathius Dube said at one time they had to find the people who had put the posters.

"People would call us wanting to confirm if we are really coming. At one point we had to find the people who had put the posters because it kills the career of an artiste. We had to pull down the fake posters. People would think it's the problem of the artistes who would not have honoured their promises," said Dube.

In most cases fans have been left disappointed after parting with their hard earned cash anticipating to seeing their favourite musicians in action only to find out the musician is not there.

This past weekend, fans from as far as Marondera travelled to Aquatic Complex, Chitungwiza to see Nox Nguni and Lady Squanda in action only to be disappointed after the artistes were in no show.

It later emerged Nox was performing in Canada and Lady Squanda had a show in Chinhoyi.