Renowned Zambian musician Elton Mulenga, popularly known as Yo Maps, has dismissed claims that his wife, Kidist Kifle, had any romantic relationship with social media content creator Elias Musyani. The singer labeled the allegations as "a joke" during his testimony in court yesterday.

The court session, filled with tense exchanges and surprising revelations, saw Musyani’s lawyer, Douglas Njolomba, attempt to build a narrative suggesting a connection between Kifle and Musyani. When asked outright if he was aware of any prior relationship between the two, Yo Maps responded with confidence and humor, denying the suggestion outright.

It’s a Joke," Says Yo Maps

Njolomba pressed Yo Maps with a series of pointed questions. The lawyer asked whether Mulenga was aware of any relationship between his wife and Musyani. Calmly, the singer replied, “There is none.”

The cross-examination continued, with Njolomba questioning why Musyani’s number was saved in Kifle’s phone. However, Yo Maps dismissed the implication, stating that he was unaware of the specific reason but maintained there was no cause for concern.

Njolomba took the line of questioning further, asking Yo Maps, “Do you wish to know the conversation between the two?” To this, Mulenga replied firmly, “I already know.”

In a climactic moment, the defense lawyer put it directly to Yo Maps: “If I put it to you that your wife has been going out with the accused, what could be your response?” The musician’s answer was equally direct, stating it was a lie and that no such relationship existed.

Threats Against the Family

Shifting focus, Yo Maps expressed frustration and concern over Musyani’s behavior on social media. He testified that Musyani had insulted Kifle on Facebook, calling her demeaning names such as “she-devil,” “witch,” and “long-faced.”

The singer revealed that these verbal attacks escalated into threats against their three-year-old daughter. “Musyani threatened to kill my daughter,” Yo Maps told the court. “I got scared of his threatening words and stopped taking my daughter to school, fearing for her safety.”

According to the musician, these threats and insults caused immense emotional distress to his family. He retrieved an incriminating video from Musyani’s Facebook page, where the accused allegedly made disparaging remarks about Kifle. Yo Maps further informed the court that Musyani had apologized for his actions during a podcast but noted that the damage had already been done.

Charges Against Musyani

Elias Musyani is facing two counts of harassment using electronic communication, in violation of Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021. The charges stem from an incident on April 8, 2024, where Musyani allegedly posted electronic communication on his Facebook page aimed at intimidating, coercing, or emotionally distressing Kifle.

The court also heard allegations of Musyani’s repeated attempts to harass Kifle through his social media platforms, painting a picture of sustained intimidation.

Defense Strategy and Next Steps

Musyani’s defense team appears intent on shifting the focus to the alleged relationship between Musyani and Kifle. However, Yo Maps’ testimony has so far refuted any such claims, portraying them as baseless and malicious.

Despite the heavy nature of the allegations, Yo Maps remained composed throughout his testimony, even injecting moments of lightheartedness, such as when he called the accusations “a joke.”

The court has adjourned the matter to February 12, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.

Background on the Case

This case has drawn significant public attention, given the high profile of the parties involved. Yo Maps is one of Zambia’s most celebrated musicians, while Musyani is a well-known social media influencer. The allegations of harassment and threats, coupled with rumors of an alleged affair, have added a layer of drama that has captured national interest.

As the trial continues, the court will determine whether Musyani’s actions constitute harassment under the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act. For now, Yo Maps stands firm in defense of his wife and family, dismissing all allegations as baseless and unfounded.

This developing case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of social media harassment and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their online actions.