Online Reporter
Prince Mushawevato
SUNGURA legend Alick Macheso is frustrated and “embarrassed” by the ongoing turmoil and internal strife at the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura).
Registered in 1982 as a collective management organisation (CMO), Zimura is mandated to protect, license and manage copyrights for composers, authors and publishers.
However, the current board and management stand accused of abandoning their core mandate.
Reports indicate a widening rift between the board and the secretariat.
While management has been accused of “bullying” the board, some board members are now demanding an extraordinary general meeting to address longstanding grievances.
Central to the latest unrest was a public notice issued on January 12 concerning the alleged illegal sale of two flats in Avondale, Harare.
While the transaction was initially pushed through, it was subsequently cancelled and reversed following public outrage over alleged irregularities.
Despite the reversal, the incident has left a lasting stain on the association’s reputation, thereby precipitating the current leadership crisis.
The internal friction has been further stoked by the election of First Farai Batani as vice chairperson, a position reportedly coveted by fellow board member Gift Amuli.
The “Charakupa” singer says his “heart bleeds” for musicians enduring unfair treatment from the very association meant to protect them.
He identified a total lack of transparency as the root of the chaos.
“The chaos at Zimura exists for a reason. Musicians do not make noise without cause. I have been a member for years; if I wanted to be in leadership, I would have joined long ago but I have consciously let others do so. My warning to those in power is that they should not abuse their office at the expense of the masses. This association does not belong to them — it belongs to every member,” warned Macheso.
Peanuts
Despite being one of Zimura’s top earners, the sungura muso remains unconvinced by the association’s distribution model.
In September 2024, Zimura distributed US$95 000 in royalties to over 3 500 members.
While the highest earners received over US$2 000 based on airplay from stations like Star FM and Diamond FM, some artistes reportedly received as little as US$3.
The discrepancies have sparked an outcry across the industry.
Sungura singer Romeo Gasa raised concerns after receiving a mere US$41 for an album that won US$700 in the ZBC Top 50 competition.
Similarly, producer and songwriter Charles Ayibeki, who writes for Sekuru Gudo, was paid only US$5,60 for his hit song “Weru”.
Ayibeki joined the chorus of disillusioned artistes, describing his experience with Zimura as both frustrating and opaque.
He claimed he was one of at least four artistes subjected to such “ridiculous” payouts.
Ayibeki said the association’s explanation for the low figures shifted repeatedly.
“Initially, when I called, I was told there were no royalties collected for my songs. After several follow-ups, they finally admitted there was a payout, but it was only US$5,60,” he said.
When he formally queried the figures with Zimura officials, he was met with a technicality that he found hard to swallow.
“I engaged Obey and Eveline from Zimura to query the criteria used. After further probing, they claimed it was classified as a ‘folk song’, hence the low figure.
“However, they still refused to disclose the total amount collected from radio stations before their deductions were made. They are simply insisting that I visit their offices.”
The producer and songwriter confirmed that he is still pursuing the matter.
“An artiste is invited from as far as Bulawayo to collect royalties that do not even cover their bus fare,” Macheso noted.
“We do not know the criteria used and we are told certain songs are no longer considered for royalties — how is that possible? They are deciding who gets paid and who does not.”
Novices
Macheso had no kind words for the current leadership.
“The people causing problems are novices who think they are now powerful. They are youngsters who capitalised on the confusion to get into office and now feel untouchable. We are here to reprimand them and show them the right way.”
Macheso revealed that he was having “sleepless nights” over the ongoing “Zimura war”.
He is now reviewing his decades-long membership to the association.
“Zimura exists because of us artistes, but what is happening now is not what we signed up for. I am considering cancelling my membership. The association is staggering towards its death; it is going to the cemetery,” said Macheso.
“I was not part of the meeting that chose the current leadership. Many of us are astonished because we do not know when these meetings were held or how these individuals were selected. That is why I have been boycotting them.”
Zimura’s six-member board comprising Alexio Gwenzi, First Farai Batani, Dingumuzi Phuti, Dereck Mpofu, Gift Amuli and Joseph Garakara is reportedly currently divided.
The executive director, Polisile Ncube-Chimhini, stepped down last month after serving for 30 years following a June 2025 fraud conviction. However, her departure has reportedly triggered a power vacuum rather than a resolution.
The crisis of confidence is further compounded by serious allegations of governance failure.
Audited financial statements are understood to have failed to comply with Zimura’s own Articles of Association.
For example, documents were allegedly signed only by the former chairperson and executive director, omitting the mandatory signature of the company secretary.
Macheso’s most stinging rebuke involved the association’s conduct during the funeral of the late Madzibaba Nicholas Zacharia.
He said Zimura lied by claiming to have provided buses to ferry mourners to the singer’s rural home in Chiweshe.
“They lie. We did not see those buses (that they claim they hired for Madzibaba’s funeral).
‘‘My band and I had to hire a bus ourselves. Trust has been lost because office-bearers are being accused of theft of public funds, even during funerals. If you ask Hosea Chipanga, he can confirm these things.”
Acting Zimura deputy director Henry Makombe, representing management, dismissed claims of bullying and lack of transparency in a recent interview with the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
He insisted that management was simply doing its job by issuing public notices to clear the air regarding certain issues like the sale of the Avondale flats.
“Transparency is achieved by answering questions,” Makombe said.
He also expressed surprise at the conduct of some of the board members.
“During induction, one member demanded an office to work in. The board’s task is policy; the secretariat’s task is operational. We cannot allow the board to cross that line,” he said.
“As management, we are not threatening anyone; we are simply required to disseminate correct information.”
He added that he was optimistic that the discord could be resolved if people understood their roles.
Meanwhile, vice chairperson First Farai Batani defended the royalty payouts in a video that was posted online.
“There is a functional system in place.
‘‘It is unfortunate that some musicians demand more when their music is simply not being played.”
Tinaye Agere