Comedian in trouble for making Magufuli look like him on Instagram

Tanzanian comedian Idris Sultan risks arrest over an Instagram post where he is said to have altered his image with that of President John Pombe Magufuli.

In the photo, the President’s face is seen juxtaposed on an earlier image of Idris.

He posted the photo on Wednesday to wish the President a happy birthday. The photo is yet to be pulled down.

“Kwa siku moja tukabadilishana kazi ili a-enjoy birthday yake kwa amani (For a day we exchanged roles so that he can enjoy his birthday in peace),” the caption read.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4PJ8FPHVbo/

The move however seems not to have gone well with Paul Makonda, the Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam.

On Wednesday, the commissioner ordered that Idris present himself at the nearest police station.

“Naona mipaka ya kazi yako huijuwi. Nenda sasa hivi kituo chochote Cha police uwambie Makonda kaniambie nije utakuta ujumbe wako. @idrissultan. ( Seems you dont know your boundaries. Report to any nearest police station and tell them Makonda told me to come, you will get your message),” he said.

In a strange turn of events, Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamis Kigwangala expressed solidarity with the wanted comedian.

According to him, the comedian was showing his love for the President and should not be punished for it.

He further noted that he would personally post bail for Idris if he is arrested.

“Nimeambiwa kuna msanii wa vichekesho anatafutwa na polisi, akikamatwa mniambie, nitajitolea mwanasheria wa kwenda kumuwekea dhamana na kumtetea. Rais wetu ni mtu wa watu na imejidhihirisha kwa jinsi wananchi walivyojitolea kumuombea dua siku ya kuzaliwa kwake! Wameonesha upendo,” he said on Twitter.

Idris won the Big Brother Africa-Hotshots show in 2014.

He currently hosts the a popular comedy show in Tanzania known as Sio Habari.