There’s a lot to be said about Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe, who relied on multiple voting sessions and a strong army to win the country’s 2008 election. Heck, you could probably spend all day exploring Mugabe’s tyrannical history. But it’s the music video by a South African band that’s making today’s news.

Freshlyground is made up of members hailing from South Africa, Mozambique and, yes, Zimbabwe. The group, which recently collaborated with Shakira at the World Cup, was planning on playing Zimbabwe next month. That is, until government officials revoked the group’s work permits.

Although no official reason was given for canceling the permits, Freshlyground singer Zolani Mahola thinks Zimbabwe officials might have a problem with one of the band’s recent videos.

In “Chicken To Change” Mugabe, depicted by a puppet, is portrayed as a leader isolated from his country’s citizens, eventually transforming into a chicken while Zimbabwe is wracked by economic and political problems.

Pay attention, kids, because this is why freedom of speech is so important. Not only does Zimbabwe law prohibit people from ridiculing the country’s president, but even gesturing at Mugabe’s limo as it cruises by can result in a visit from police, which may lead to prison, a fine, or both, according to Associated Press.

Freshlyground last played in Zimbabwe in 2008 when the country last held a presidential election. Although opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the election he did not receive enough votes to avoid a run-off with Mugabe and eventually dropped out of the race after his supporters were attacked, leaving the door open for a Mugabe victory.

But it looks as if Mugabe might have met his match in the form of his puppet doppelganger. While commenting about the country revoking Freshlyground’s work permits, singer Mahola said the band’s Zimbabwean fans have praised the video for “Chicken To Change.” So maybe that puppet representation is a little to close to Mugabe for comfort.

“Somebody has said something for them,” Mahola said. “We have to be able to speak. You have to be able to have a voice.”

Click here to read the complete Associated Press item.