First Farai hits back at critics

Musician First Batani, popularly known as First Farai, has hit back at critics questioning his election as vice-chairperson of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), dismissing the attacks as malicious, misleading and driven by personal agendas.

Batani also rejected renewed allegations linked to an alleged funeral contributions embezzlement case dating back 15 years, describing those reviving the issue as "cowards peddling lies" intent on damaging his reputation.

"People bringing up an issue from 15 years ago are cowards who are peddling lies," he said. "These allegations are meant to frustrate me and tarnish my reputation, not to seek truth or accountability."

He insisted that Zimura is a professional, globally recognised institution governed by strict legal and constitutional frameworks.

"Zimura is not someone's personal business. It is an institution governed by laws and a constitution, and everything we are doing is above board," Batani said.

Batani maintained that his election, alongside that of chairperson Alexio "Goodchild" Gwenzi, was conducted in full compliance with the Zimura constitution and quorum requirements, despite objections raised by a faction of board members.

Gwenzi was elected chairperson last week, succeeding veteran poet Albert Nyathi, who did not participate in the board elections held in October last year.

At the time, the Zimura board comprised ICT Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, Batani, Gwenzi, Derreck Mpofu, Gift Amuli, Joseph Garakara, Chiedza Shoniwa and Evelyn Natsai Moyo.

Batani accused Mpofu, Garakara and Amuli of boycotting the elections and later spreading allegations of forgery, corruption and procedural irregularities.

"In my capacity as acting chairperson, I personally invited them to attend the board elections," he said. "They gave different reasons for not coming, and later we were surprised to hear that they were holding a press conference to attack us."

He also dismissed claims that he had hijacked Amuli's preferred position of vice-chairperson, saying Amuli had actually been contesting the chairperson's post.

"During the first bout of elections I had even voted for Amuli for chairmanship, but the elections were a stalemate, which compelled us to postpone the elections," Batani said.

Addressing allegations surrounding the sale of Zimura's Avondale flats and a forgery case involving director Polisile Ncube Chimhini, Batani said the issues had been misrepresented.

"The sale of the flats was done properly and documents are available for anyone who wants to verify," he said. "As for the forgery matter, the courts are yet to determine that case."

He accused critics of hiding behind anonymity instead of engaging through proper channels, warning that continued circulation of what he termed malicious statements was harming both individuals and the institution.

Batani reaffirmed his commitment to serving artists through Zimura and urged stakeholders with genuine concerns to follow internal processes rather than resort to character assassination.

Meanwhile, Zimura has dismissed Amuli, Garakara and Mpofu, escalating an ongoing governance dispute within the artists' rights body.

The trio has strongly disputed the legitimacy of the new leadership, accusing Gwenzi and the secretariat of abusing association resources and unlawfully purging elected directors.

In a statement dated January 22, 2026, circulated to members and artists, they described last week's board elections as a "phantom election," alleging that Gwenzi secured only two votes, including his own.

They further accused him of colluding with staff to consolidate power and intimidate the media through what they described as baseless legal threats.

"We categorically reject this attempt to remove directors legally elected by the membership," the statement read. "These removal notices are a legal nullity and a transparent effort to sabotage ongoing investigations into the unauthorised sale of our building and systemic financial misappropriation."

The group also raised concerns over the continued retention of a senior manager they allege is masquerading as an executive director, pointing to what they described as deeper governance failures.

They called on artists, musicians and composers to unite against what they termed the "capture" of Zimura, describing the standoff as the final stage in a broader struggle for accountability and transparency.

Zimura's current leadership has rejected the allegations, maintaining that all decisions taken - including the dismissal of Mpofu, Amuli and Garakara - were lawful and in line with the association's constitution.

If you want, I can also tighten this into a shorter hard-news version, or reframe it with more balance by foregrounding both factions equally.