Zimbabwe Parliament: ZIMURA Corruption Inquiry Hears Artists' Allegations

• Musicians have accused the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) of corruption, non-payment of royalties, and mismanagement during a parliamentary inquiry.
• Artists reported receiving as little as US$10 to US$30 annually in royalties, while ZIMURA employees allegedly earn over US$4,000 monthly.
• Concerns were raised about ZIMURA operating without its constitutionally required seven-member board for over a year and a lack of transparency in royalty distribution.
• Artists are demanding a single licensing system, regular audits of ZIMURA and the Zimbabwe Council of Copyrights (ZICCO), and immediate reforms to ensure fair royalty shares for creators.

The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) is currently under intense scrutiny following a parliamentary inquiry where musicians presented damning allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) is currently under intense scrutiny following a parliamentary inquiry where musicians presented damning allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Artists recently testified before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services on Monday, urging government intervention to address what they described as a systemic failure to fulfill ZIMURA's mandate as a collective management organization. This ZIMURA corruption parliamentary inquiry Zimbabwe highlights a significant Zimbabwe artist rights dispute.

During the proceedings, numerous beneficiaries recounted receiving meager annual royalty payments, some as low as US$10 to US$30. The emotional testimony included that of Eunice Dembo, widow of the late Sungura legend Leonard Dembo, known as "Mai Morgan," who tearfully pleaded for compassion for widows and orphans, emphasizing their suffering and desire for a decent life. She articulated a widespread sentiment among artists that while they are the rightful owners of their musical creations, they are routinely excluded from decisions impacting their work, with their music primarily benefiting management rather than the creators themselves.

Further allegations presented during the inquiry painted a picture of deep-seated financial discrepancies and governance issues within the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association. Musician Felix Chitopo claimed a stark disparity between artist earnings and employee remuneration, alleging that ZIMURA staff members receive over US$4,000 monthly, while artists struggle with paltry royalty payments. This stark contrast underscores the severity of the ZIMURA royalty non-payment issue, alongside accusations of unfair dismissal of board members.

Chitopo also raised concerns about ZIMURA's internal governance, stating that the organization had operated without a constitutionally mandated seven-member board for more than a year. He questioned the appropriateness of a minister serving on the ZIMURA board and advocated for the cancellation of the organization's license. These sentiments were echoed by former ZIMURA board member Derek Mpofu, who claimed unfair dismissal and asserted that ZIMURA was unparalleled in its corruption, with collected funds primarily benefiting management rather than the artists they are meant to serve. ZIMURA, a non-profit entity tasked with collecting and distributing public performance and broadcasting royalties for copyright holders, has historically faced repeated criticism regarding its administrative costs and the low royalty payments disbursed to artists.

In response to the pervasive issues, artists have collectively demanded significant reforms to the Zimbabwe copyright collective management system. Their key proposals include the implementation of a single licensing system, regular independent audits, and immediate structural changes to ensure composers and performers receive a fair and equitable share of the royalties generated from their work. Gospel artist Tembalami specifically called for comprehensive audits of both ZIMURA and the Zimbabwe Council of Copyrights (ZICCO), highlighting a perceived lack of transparency and the need for ZIMURA to adapt to contemporary industry standards, especially with the emergence of multiple collective management organizations.

The ongoing ZICCO audit demand Zimbabwe underscores a broader desire for greater accountability across the sector. These calls for systemic change reflect a critical juncture for artist rights in the country, with stakeholders seeking to rectify long-standing grievances and establish a more transparent and equitable framework for royalty collection and distribution. The parliamentary inquiry serves as a crucial platform for addressing these concerns and potentially reshaping the future of music rights management in Zimbabwe.

Lawyers advising artists or creative businesses in Zimbabwe should monitor the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into ZIMURA for potential regulatory changes, litigation opportunities, or reforms to copyright royalty collection and distribution mechanisms. Compliance officers dealing with music licensing should assess the stability and legitimacy of ZIMURA's operations given the serious allegations.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe