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Zimura boss convicted of fraud
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The Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), Polisile Ncube, has been convicted of fraud following a court appearance in Harare today. She was remanded in custody and is expected to be sentenced tomorrow.
Ncube, who had faced charges of both forgery and fraud, was acquitted on the forgery count but found guilty of fraud by Harare magistrate Mrs Rufaro Panavanhu. The ruling followed arguments presented by Prosecutor Mr Boniface Masvaire, who successfully convinced the court that Ncube had committed a criminal offence.
According to the State, the case stemmed from a High Court application filed by musician Phillip Chipfumbu on July 14, 2023, under case number HCHC482/23. The application sought a forensic audit of ZIMURA, raising concerns over the organisation's transparency and financial management.
Just six days later, on July 20, Chipfumbu returned to the High Court and discovered that Ncube had submitted a CR6 document - a company registration form - allegedly dated April 12, 2023. However, investigations revealed that the document was not officially registered with the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property. The actual CR6 document for ZIMURA was only formally registered on January 15, 2024.
The discrepancy indicated an attempt to mislead the court by presenting false documentation, leading to the successful fraud conviction.
The case has sent shockwaves through the music industry, where ZIMURA plays a pivotal role in managing royalties and intellectual property rights for artists. Ncube's sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow.
Ncube, who had faced charges of both forgery and fraud, was acquitted on the forgery count but found guilty of fraud by Harare magistrate Mrs Rufaro Panavanhu. The ruling followed arguments presented by Prosecutor Mr Boniface Masvaire, who successfully convinced the court that Ncube had committed a criminal offence.
According to the State, the case stemmed from a High Court application filed by musician Phillip Chipfumbu on July 14, 2023, under case number HCHC482/23. The application sought a forensic audit of ZIMURA, raising concerns over the organisation's transparency and financial management.
Just six days later, on July 20, Chipfumbu returned to the High Court and discovered that Ncube had submitted a CR6 document - a company registration form - allegedly dated April 12, 2023. However, investigations revealed that the document was not officially registered with the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property. The actual CR6 document for ZIMURA was only formally registered on January 15, 2024.
The discrepancy indicated an attempt to mislead the court by presenting false documentation, leading to the successful fraud conviction.
The case has sent shockwaves through the music industry, where ZIMURA plays a pivotal role in managing royalties and intellectual property rights for artists. Ncube's sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow.
Source - The Herald
