(AllHipHop News) The allegations of sexual assault facing Afrika Bambaataa have pushed the Zulu Nation to remove “ALL accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation.”
“The Universal Zulu Nation wishes to announce that it is currently under new leadership by the International and Regional U.S. Zulu Leaders. This will involve a significant restructure and will feature an in-depth re-assessment of how the organization will function to better serve our communities. As part of this restructure ALL accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation have been removed and have stepped down from their current positions.” The Universal Zulu Nation
The stunning news comes after a former New York politician Ronald Savage came forward with claims that Bam molested him in the late 1970’s in an emotionally charged interview with radio personality Troi “Star” Torain’s Shot97.com radio show.
Savage formerly made similar allegations in his 2014 book “Impulse, Urges and Fantasy’s.” Savage, who is now in his 50’s, served on the New York State Democratic Committee for six years. He maintained that Afrika Bambaataa molested him between the ages of 12-14 in the late 1970’s.
Afterward, numerous men came forward to allege the “Planet Rock” performer molested them as children.
The Zulu Nation issued a statement about the controversy.
But, the organization declared the charges were the result of a “U.S. government sponsored media attack.” The UZN particularly took aim at the New York Daily News and internet personality Star, who broke the story.
Afrika Bambaataa discussed the sexual abuse accusations made against him for the first time in public during an interview on “The Ed Lover show with Monie Love.”
During the conversation, Afrika Bambaataa doubled down on his view that the accusations stem from a larger conspiracy formed against him.
“This is false allegations that’s being put against me and a lot of lies. And it could me today and you tomorrow,” Afrika Bambaataa told Ed Lover. “I completely deny all type of allegations that’s being put against your brother, Afrika Bambaataa.”
Then Star conducted another interview with Shamsideen Shariyf Ali Bey, who was had of Bambaataa’s security as well as an original member of Black Spades.
Shariyf Ali Bey made more shocking allegations against the Zulu Nation leader.
“There’s always a boy in his house. When he leaves and gets home, there’s always a boy there. I’ve seen them camped, asking him for money,” Shariyf said. “He travels with late teens, those are the ones he takes overseas with him. When I went with him on tour in the states, I’d stay in one room, and he would have boys in the room with him.”
Check out The Zulu Nation’s full statement below:
Universal Zulu Nation Official Statement: International and Regional US UZN Leaders, Universal Zulu Nation
The Universal Zulu Nation wishes to announce that it is currently under new leadership by the International and Regional U.S. Zulu Leaders. This will involve a significant restructure and will feature an in-depth re-assessment of how the organization will function to better serve our communities. As part of this restructure ALL accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation have been removed and have stepped down from their current positions.
Over the coming months there will be significant changes to the organization in terms of roles, structure and establishing the policies any organization of our size should have in place. There shall also be a new move to work towards providing support for victims of abuse, rape and molestation and working more closely on other social issues existing in communities such as drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health.
We are saddened by current events. Not only because of the trial by social media of which we have been subjected to as an organization, but because until now the previous leaders and founders have been ineffective at being able to respond in a way which our members and associates deserve of us. Especially when our good work spreading the Zulu message has empowered communities worldwide. We would like to offer our sincere apologies for this.
As an organization we are in a very difficult position because we are being asked to condemn one of our founders based on testimony through social media alone. We cannot do this. We also cannot dismiss the comments of parties asserting they have been harmed. We have a duty to search for truth. We also need to be mindful that if these allegations are true that victims discussing this in a public forum has not come easily. We the Universal Zulu Nation wish to extend great sympathy to anyone affected by such issues. We know that respect and compassion need to be at the forefront of how we deal with such topics in the future, this has been a lesson in learning for us.
The public is asking for justice and we would welcome constructive suggestions on how that could be effectuated properly. At the moment it is unclear on how best to proceed, we would like to know how the claimants would like to take the matters further towards some form of resolution where the truth can be established. We can not legally speak on behalf of the parties in question in regard to the current allegations. Individuals must speak up for themselves & advice from their legal teams should be sought.
Our restructure is a positive step towards organizational change for our worldwide family of members and the great community programs they continually run which spread the message of Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun.
To communicate with us during this time of transition please email us at info@universalzulunation.global
Peace
International and Regional US Zulu Leaders
Universal Zulu Nation