Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Government’s move to disband the controversial Zimbabwe Music Rights Association has been welcomed by musicians and other stakeholders.
The Alexio Gwenzi–chaired board was dissolved with immediate effect amid allegations of gross maladministration that left members confused.
The decision — which brought relief and excitement to many — followed ZIMURA’s apparent failures in fiduciary responsibility, questionable board legitimacy, poor financial transparency, and inconsistency in carrying out its mandate.
During this transitional period, an interim director will oversee operations as the government aims to restore accountability. Further investigations and possible legal action may follow.
Musicians and stakeholders are praying for the dawn of a new era.
Among the most relieved arts figures are Dereck Mpofu, Joseph Garakara and Gift Amuli, who were unfairly stripped of their roles as board members after voicing concerns earlier this year.
The trio issued a joint statement that has excited many fans.
“The era of accountability has arrived. We are pleased to announce a landmark development in our longstanding quest to restore integrity to our association.
“In a decisive move to safeguard the interests of Zimbabwean creators, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs — acting as the final determining body — has officially dissolved the board of ZIMURA with immediate effect.
“This decision marks the end of the illegal board led by Alexio Gwenzi and employee Henry Makombe. For too long this faction presided over a culture of impunity, unaccountability and arrogance. Their tenure was defined by the systematic victimization of members who sought transparency. Today’s dissolution proves that the plight of the member finally outweighs the interests of a self‑serving few,” reads part of the statement.The trio also praised the government for intervening. “We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to the government and the Ministry of Justice for this swift and timely decision. This intervention is a total validation of the evidence we meticulously gathered and presented in our CIPZ report.
“Despite intense lawfare, litigation and personal sacrifices over the past several weeks, the Ministry’s findings confirm our core concerns: failures in fiduciary responsibility, lack of board legitimacy and financial mismanagement.
“As we have maintained from the beginning, this struggle was never about individual titles or securing seats; it was about a total overhaul of the system.
“ We never sought a mere leadership change that would leave the same broken structures intact. We are fighting for a ZIMURA that serves its artists with professional integrity. A change in faces is meaningless without a change in the system, and today that systemic reset has begun.”
Following their statement, blogger Plot Mhako — who first exposed the alleged rot at ZIMURA and was being sued — hailed the trio for their bravery.
“I have huge respect for you, bro! God bless you,” responded Mhako.
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi copycat Bernard Betera, who supported the trio, could not hide his elation: “Kushorwa nekutukwa kwedu kwayamura. Zvinotendwa izvi.”
Meanwhile, Henry Makombe is the acting ZIMURA director following the February resignation of Polisiwe Chimhini, who served the association for 30 years.
Makombe, who has been overseeing operations at ZIMURA, said he could not comment further on the future of the collective management organisation (CMO) — established in 1982 to protect, license and manage copyright for music composers, authors and publishers — because he had been advised by his legal counsel not to comment.
