I was not raped during 2005 KNUST stage incident – Mzbel

Ghanaian musician Mzbel has revisited her widely discussed incident at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2005, rejecting claims that she was raped during the episode.

Speaking to Kafui Dey, Mzbel said the incident happened after she finished her performance, but the crowd repeatedly urged her to do “one last” song.

She explained that she eventually declined because other artistes, including Castro and Praye, were waiting backstage to perform.

According to her, she told the audience she would return after the other performers had finished.

Mzbel said trouble started as she left the stage when an unidentified person grabbed her leg and pulled her into the crowd.

“As I was getting down from the stage, someone grabbed my leg and started pulling me into the crowd. There was a pool there. I was screaming and before I realised, I passed out.”

However, she strongly disputed claims that she was sexually assaulted during the incident.

“It's not possible for anyone to rape me because there were a lot of people and I was wearing leggings. There was never rape; nobody touched my private part,” she said.

Mzbel said she regarded what happened as an accident rather than a deliberate attempt to hurt her.

She also revealed that the 2005 incident is often brought up by critics whenever she makes comments they disagree with.

According to her, she has refused to allow the incident to define or intimidate her.

“What happened in KNUST in 2005 doesn't really bother me. People think that incident is something that is supposed to break me, so anytime they have issues with me, they bring it up,” she said.

Mzbel urged people to stop using the incident as a tool to bully or shame her, insisting that it no longer affects her.