A section of Tanzanians on Twitter have launched an online petition to have Diamond Platnumz disqualified from the 2021 BET Awards.

Diamond is nominated as the only East African artiste, under the category Best International Act, battling out with Aya Nakamura (France), Burna Boy (Nigeria), Emicida (Brazil), Headie One (UK), Wizkid (Nigeria), Young T & Bugsey (UK) and Youssoupha (France).

The petitioners accused Diamond of ‘actively and publicly supporting deceased Magufuli’s regime’. 

They also claim Diamond remained silent when fellow Tanzanian artistes were imprisoned and abducted in 2017-18 over video clips deemed obscene by the authorities.

Over 17,000 people have so far signed the petition.

"Diamond Platnumz is a world-renowned Tanzania music artist who used his popularity and his talent to whitewash and deodorize the brutal repression of the late dictator John Magufuli and his regime. Diamond is also a close friend and business ally of Paul Makonda the former Governor of Dar -es-Salaam who has openly persecuted and cracked down on LGBTI people. Makonda has also been designated in 2020 by the US State Department for gross violations of human rights including cracking down on freedom of expression and association." reads part of the petition.

Adding “In 2017, he deliberately released a single called 'Acha Nikae Kimya' (Let me remain quiet) as a response to the increasing demand from the public to speak up and condemn the crackdowns."

Diamond Platnumz was among artists who campaigned for the late president John Magufuli in the last elections, 2020.

In a response, Diamonds manager Sallam SK referred to the petitioners as 'haters'.

"Waliopo kwenye industry ya mziki duniani wanaelewa kuna viumbe duniani wanaitwa haters.. Wasipo-hate wanaweza kupata upungufu wa damu kwahiyo msiwachukie wala msibishane nao ila endeleeni kuwapenda tu (Those in the music industry understand very well that there are people called haters, without hating they will end up sick so dont take them seriuosly and argue with them, continue loving them." he posted.

In a previous interview, Diamond said the late Magufuli was like a father to him revealing how he reached out to him during the drama surrounding his biological father last year.