Zimbabwe’s music industry has been drawn into a fresh governance dispute after two sharply worded and conflicting press statements were issued by different parties within the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA).
These statements expose deep divisions at the country’s main music collective management organisation.
The row centres on an “unauthorised public notice” circulated on 12 January, which has now been formally disowned by three ZIMURA board members, even as the association’s board and management issued a separate statement warning of what it describes as a coordinated attempt to destabilise the organisation.
Board members disown public notice
In a joint statement dated 13 January, board members Dereck Mpofu, Joseph Garakara and Gift Amuli said they were formally dissociating themselves from the earlier public notice, which they described as unauthorised and issued in breach of established governance procedures.
They said official communication at ZIMURA is, by board resolution, the responsibility of the Communications, Public Relations and Strategy Committee, which is chaired by Mpofu and deputised by Garakara.
According to the statement, the 12 January notice was released without the committee’s consent, in violation of operating procedures and board mandates.
The three board members also called for an immediate investigation into the unauthorised use of ZIMURA’s letterhead and a full audit of the association’s social media platforms, arguing that unverified policy positions had been disseminated without approval.
Asset sale and conflict of interest claims
At the heart of the dispute is an unresolved controversy surrounding the sale of ZIMURA-owned flats in Avondale, Harare.
The joint statement said members had raised ethical concerns over whether a sitting board member participated in the transaction through an estate agency where they are employed.
The board members said those involved in the transaction had not provided a direct response to the allegations, instead relying on what they described as legal technicalities.
They argued that this failure to engage openly had deepened mistrust among members.
They also rejected the notion that ZIMURA does not answer to anyone, insisting that while the association is private, it remains subject to transparency requirements and oversight by relevant regulatory and government bodies.
Call for media scrutiny
In unusually strong language, the trio condemned what they characterised as attempts to intimidate stakeholders and the media through threats of litigation.
They said investigative journalism was essential to accountability and encouraged journalists to continue scrutinising the association’s governance, financial dealings and operations.
“Transparency is a fiduciary duty, not a discretionary option,” the statement concluded, adding that the signatories had been elected to replace a culture of defensiveness with professional openness.
ZIMURA board hits back
Just days later, on 16 January, ZIMURA’s board of directors and management issued their own press statement, distancing the organisation from what they called “unauthorised public communications” by individual directors acting without a board mandate.
The board said ZIMURA was dealing with a matter involving a small group of internal actors whose conduct suggested a coordinated effort to discredit the association.
It went further, claiming these actions may be sponsored by external interests seeking the deregistration of ZIMURA, to the detriment of the national arts industry.
The statement accused what it termed “rogue elements” of bypassing internal dispute resolution mechanisms and spreading falsehoods through unauthorised channels.
It said the organisation was documenting instances of bad faith and would pursue legal remedies to protect its reputation.
Internal investigations and government engagement
ZIMURA said it had initiated comprehensive internal investigations into the individuals involved and their suspected external affiliations, and that relevant authorities had been formally briefed.
The board also stressed that it was working closely with high-level government stakeholders to counter what it described as a misinformation campaign.
Reaffirming its mandate, ZIMURA said its focus remained on the equitable distribution of royalties and the protection of copyright, both locally and internationally.
The organisation cited its obligations under Zimbabwe’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, as well as international frameworks including the Berne Convention, WIPO and CISAC guidelines.
The board further announced that the secretariat had been designated as the sole authorised channel for all external communications, warning that any statements issued by other individuals should be treated as unofficial.
Industry watches closely
The public exchange has heightened concern within Zimbabwe’s creative sector, where ZIMURA plays a central role in collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of musicians and rights holders.
With allegations of governance breaches, counter-allegations of sabotage, and investigations now underway, artists and stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the dispute is resolved internally or escalates further through regulatory or legal channels.
For now, the contrasting narratives underline a deeper struggle over transparency, authority and accountability at one of Zimbabwe’s most powerful arts institutions, a struggle whose outcome could have lasting implications for the country’s music industry.
