By Own Correspondent

MUSIC unions are pushing for transparency and fairness in the administration of royalties as they fight for artistes to reap from their sweat.

The recent outcry from stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s music industry, led by Zimbabwe Music Unions (ZIMU) and echoed by the Music Management Forum of Zimbabwe, signals a pivotal moment, which experts say is key to transparency in the management of royalties. 

At the heart of the dispute lies the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), which stands accused of alleged financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and governance irregularities, including operating under an expired board and suppressing internal dissent. 

With royalties reportedly dwindling to a few dollars despite significant collections from airplay and venue licensing, ZIMU, supported by compelling testimony and alleged documentary evidence, has called for the dissolution of the current leadership under Polisile Ncube-Chimhini, who was recently convicted of fraud. Meanwhile, voices like Phillip Chipfumbu’s underscore how those advocating for reform face retaliation rather than dialogue.

Edith WeUtonga-Katiji, ZIMU President, has called on all musicians registered under the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians to join them on October 7 at the Harare High Court (Criminal Courts) to hear for themselves as they demand justice to enable accountability and restructuring of ZIMURA.

Katiji told a Press conference on Saturday that her organisation has evidence, including audio, as they push for the removal of Ncube-Chimhini.

She said revenue was being generated through airplay and public venue licensing royalty collection, yet nothing was being paid to musicians. Katiji, Phillip Chipfumbu (suspended Zimura member and director), Freddy Nyakudanga (Zimura member), Mubu Imbuwa (ZIMU strategist) and Chioneso Rutsito (ZIMU vice-president) took turns to lambast Zimura.

The accusations also include interference of the legal board member in the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Chipfumbu alleged that his suspension from ZIMURA was illegal and based on futile reasons, which, among others, were the demand to regularise travel and subsistence allowances, remittances of musicians’ royalties and even issuance of petty cash receipts and putting in place transparent structures and a labour inventory at ZIMURA.

Similarly, Russel Mavudzi, director of the Music Management Forum of Zimbabwe, issued a statement, saying his organisation stood in solidarity with Zimbabwean musicians and industry stakeholders amid a tiff between ZIMU and ZIMURA.

Mavudzi said the music industry could no longer afford silence or half-backed measures. 

He called upon government regulators, Culture ministry and music stakeholders to urgently institute reforms, audit ZIMURA’s operations and establish a new culture of accountability.