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Zimbabwe musicians clash with ZIMURA
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Zimbabwe's music industry is facing renewed turmoil as some artists accuse the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and silencing dissenting voices.
Members of the Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZMU) say they are being unfairly treated, citing issues including a proposed US$150 licensing fee imposed without prior consultation.
"Musicians are not receiving royalties transparently, and those who ask questions are silenced or sidelined. ZIMURA behaves like it owns musicians, yet its role should be to serve them," said ZMU President Edith Katiji.
Arts critic Plot Mhako noted that these problems reflect years of non-accountability. "Artists who question ZIMURA are pushed out. With a director convicted of fraud, the call for a forensic audit is now urgent," he said.
ZIMURA, however, maintains that it is adhering to proper procedures and dismissed accusations of misgovernance. Deputy Director Henry Makombe said, "You cannot just wake up and demand leadership changes through the media. Those alleging gross mismanagement must state point by point what it is. Negative publicity only delays collections and hurts musicians when clients hesitate to pay."
The government is monitoring the dispute and says efforts are underway to bring stakeholders together through the National Arts Council (NAC). Aggabu Nyabinde, Communications and Marketing Manager at NAC, said, "We always encourage artists and collective management organisations to register with the National Arts Council so we can intervene. Talks are ongoing to resolve issues around royalty collection and representation."
Experts warn that the ongoing tensions have spurred the creation of rival collective management organisations, further fragmenting the sector and threatening unity within Zimbabwe's music industry.
Members of the Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZMU) say they are being unfairly treated, citing issues including a proposed US$150 licensing fee imposed without prior consultation.
"Musicians are not receiving royalties transparently, and those who ask questions are silenced or sidelined. ZIMURA behaves like it owns musicians, yet its role should be to serve them," said ZMU President Edith Katiji.
Arts critic Plot Mhako noted that these problems reflect years of non-accountability. "Artists who question ZIMURA are pushed out. With a director convicted of fraud, the call for a forensic audit is now urgent," he said.
ZIMURA, however, maintains that it is adhering to proper procedures and dismissed accusations of misgovernance. Deputy Director Henry Makombe said, "You cannot just wake up and demand leadership changes through the media. Those alleging gross mismanagement must state point by point what it is. Negative publicity only delays collections and hurts musicians when clients hesitate to pay."
The government is monitoring the dispute and says efforts are underway to bring stakeholders together through the National Arts Council (NAC). Aggabu Nyabinde, Communications and Marketing Manager at NAC, said, "We always encourage artists and collective management organisations to register with the National Arts Council so we can intervene. Talks are ongoing to resolve issues around royalty collection and representation."
Experts warn that the ongoing tensions have spurred the creation of rival collective management organisations, further fragmenting the sector and threatening unity within Zimbabwe's music industry.
Source - ZBC
