Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment
STAKEHOLDERS in the music industry are questioning whether a recent High Court reprieve for the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association board will finally restore stability to the troubled collective management organisation.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Kwenda under case number HCH1741/26, recently set aside the removal of board members Alexio Gwenzi, First Farai Batani and Evelyn Natsai Moyo. The ruling followed months of internal disputes, counter-accusations and debates over the legitimacy of the Gwenzi-led board.
Justice Kwenda found that the termination of the trio’s appointments violated Section 3 of the Administrative Justice Act (Chapter 10:28).
“The 1st Respondent’s termination of the 1st Applicant (Gwenzi), 2nd Applicant (Batani) and 3rd Applicant (Moyo)’s appointments as board members of the 4th Respondent (ZIMURA) was unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and thus a breach of Section 3 of the Administrative Justice Act (Chapter 10:28).
“Consequently, the decision to terminate the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Applicants’ appointments as board members of the 4th Respondent is hereby set aside. Each party shall bear its own costs,” Justice Kwenda ruled.
Prior to the judgment, previous interventions by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs failed to resolve the impasse. Internal divisions had deepened following the earlier removal of fellow board members Gift Amuli, Dereck Mpofu and Joseph Garakara.
The prolonged wrangling has damaged ZIMURA’s reputation and highlighted lack of clarity regarding the distinct roles of the board and management.
While the court order settles the immediate legal dispute over the board’s legitimacy, observers note it does not resolve the association’s underlying governance challenges or allegations concerning the welfare of its members.
Investigations by the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub indicate that rights holders are demanding transparency, accountability and fair royalty distribution.
To rebuild trust, the reinstated board now faces pressure to improve corporate governance, establish clear lines of operational responsibility and engage consistently with its membership.
