It is no joke: the popular Mafenya Brothers have been charged with common robbery.

Mafenya Brothers is a popular youth group from Mdabula village in Malamulele. As the name indicates, “Mafenya” means joke in Xitsonga. The group composes music comprising jokes, and the members are also famous for their acting.

However, four members of the group appeared for the second time in the Waterval Magistrate’s court on Friday, charged with common robbery.

This case relates to an incident when they allegedly found a woman with 106 fake CDs of the the group and one of Connie Chauke. It is alleged that they then took the CDs.

Those who were charged with robbery include the group manager, Siphiwe Shirinda (29), as well as Amukelani Chavalala ( 21), Vutlhari Mathonsi (18) and Dennis Mtileni (19). The case was postponed to December 9. The three youngest accused are all still at school.

The case has resulted in a war of words between the police and musicians. Xitsonga traditional music doyen Thomas Chauke says the war against piracy will not be won because of the attitude of the government. “We view this case as a promotion of piracy,” said Chauke.

The director of Mafenya Brothers, Mr Solly Makamu, said he was disappointed that the law protected those selling fake CDs but was against the creators of the works.

Police spokesperson Lt Col Mohale Ramatseba said the young musicians were arrested because when they approached the woman selling their works they allegedly impersonated the police. “They allegedly told the woman they were police members from Waterval,” said Ramatseba.