News / National
Cops destroy thousands of pirated CDs, DVDs
17 Sep 2012 at 05:12hrs | Views
About 250 000 pirated copies of music CDs, DVDs and films were last week destroyed by police at Harare Central Police Station. The copies were seized during police raids in greater Harare following tip-offs from the public. Other items that went up in smoke included CD covers and sleeves.
Harare Province Officer Commanding Licence Inspectorate, Joel Shasha Tenderere, said the clampdown on piracy was launched during the 100 days campaign beginning in April to June.
"We have come to realise that there is a need for concerted effort from the public to effectively crack down on piracy because the culprits are operating in the comfort of their homes.
"Secondly, we have destroyed the pirated CDs and movies to raise awareness so that the people who are 'burning' the CDs know that it is against the law.
"On the whole, we want to assure artists that we can curb piracy as long as we work together.
"Musicians are no longer earning from music sales but only through live shows and that is bad," he said.
Polly Ncube of Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, which collects royalties on behalf of its members, condemned piracy saying they would not rest until piracy was eradicated.
Some of the musicians who witnessed the event include sungura star Alick Macheso and marabi singer Kireni Zulu.
Harare Province Officer Commanding Licence Inspectorate, Joel Shasha Tenderere, said the clampdown on piracy was launched during the 100 days campaign beginning in April to June.
"We have come to realise that there is a need for concerted effort from the public to effectively crack down on piracy because the culprits are operating in the comfort of their homes.
"Secondly, we have destroyed the pirated CDs and movies to raise awareness so that the people who are 'burning' the CDs know that it is against the law.
"Musicians are no longer earning from music sales but only through live shows and that is bad," he said.
Polly Ncube of Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, which collects royalties on behalf of its members, condemned piracy saying they would not rest until piracy was eradicated.
Some of the musicians who witnessed the event include sungura star Alick Macheso and marabi singer Kireni Zulu.
Source - TH