Afrika Bambaataa Ousted as Leader of the Universal Zulu Nation
After weeks of child molestation allegations being levied against Afrika Bambaataa, the hip-hop legend has been officially ousted as leader of the Universal Zulu Nation.
On Friday (May 6), the Zulu nation posted a statement on their official website announcing the departure of Bambaataa but doesn’t mention him by name. The press release reads in part:
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.
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.
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.
This news comes as the organization is still trying to deal with the allegations made by several accusers and a former bodyguard of Bambaataa allegedly molesting children dating as far back as the 1970s. Ronald Savage is the first of four men who have accused Bambaataa of molesting them as young boys during the Zulu Nation’s prime.
Bambaataa has denied all of the allegations but hasn't pursued any legal discourse to clear his name.
It maybe too late to prosecute Bambaataa on criminal charges since the statue of limitations is over. New York Law states that once an assaulted minor reaches the age of 23, they can no longer file against their abuser.
Either way, we hope that some sort of resolution can from this for all parties involved.
Afrika Bambaataa's attorney had no comment on the matter.
You can read the full statement from the Universal Zulu Nation at zulunation.co.uk.