Tanzania: Chidi Benz put on probation

Resident magistrate Ruth Tarimo of the Ilala court placed him under probation after evidence revealed that despite being set free two years ago, the singer who has been in rehab for two years before leaving earlier this year, was still engaging in substance abuse. The rapper and six of his friends were arrested during a police crackdown on in the Ilala area.

Kenyan musician Nonini who is also one of his best friends came out to defend the rapper saying, “Benz asked that I assist him in getting clean which I did. He came out of rehab and things are looking good for him, he just released a new song with Q Chilla. For that reason i know he is clean. I cannot comment further about that until he tells me.”

Chidi Benz, one-time a popular bongo rapper, has been reduced to a shadow of his former self. In March last year Diamond Platinumz’s manager Babu Tale came to his rescue after disturbing pictures went viral online. He was then admitted at the Life and Hope rehabilitation center in Bagamoyo before leaving early this year.

This is not the first time for the rapper to be caught with drugs. On 14 October 2014, he was caught with hard drugs at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, as he tried to fly to Mbeya Province in Tanzania. He joins the growing list of Tanzanian artists who include Weal Sepetu,Rommy Jons,Vanessa Mdeeand video vixen Agnes Masogange after allegedly being found in possession of narcotics.