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Thomas Mapfumo threatens legal action against nephew
2 hrs ago |
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Chimurenga music legend Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo has threatened legal action against his nephew, Kurai Makore, accusing him of performing and commercially exploiting his music without authorisation.
In a strongly worded cease-and-desist notice dated August 8, 2026, Mapfumo's Chimurenga Music Company said Makore had never been granted permission to perform, record, stream or otherwise commercially exploit works from the veteran musician's catalogue.
The company said Mapfumo had personally encouraged his nephew to establish his own musical identity, but alleged that Makore continued performing songs from his uncle's repertoire despite being warned against doing so.
"His persistence in performing his uncle's copyrighted material without a licence is not a family dispute; it is a blatant and willful legal violation that can no longer be tolerated," the company said.
Mapfumo rejects 'heir' narrative
The company also rejected media reports portraying Makore as the heir to Mapfumo's Chimurenga legacy.
According to the statement, Mapfumo has never appointed Makore — or any other individual — as his successor.
The company said the claims arose after Makore was invited to perform as an opening act at a limited number of Mapfumo shows, with some reports subsequently interpreting the appearances as the veteran musician "passing the torch" to his nephew.
"This is a complete falsehood," the company said.
"Thomas Mapfumo has never designated any heir or successor to his musical legacy – by blood, by decree, or by any other means."
The company said musicians remained free to develop their own careers, but anyone seeking to commercially perform Mapfumo's copyrighted works would first have to obtain the necessary copyright clearances.
Chimurenga Music Company also named Chipaz Promotions, Primus Energy Corporation, Naison Marufu and Percival Percy Mukuchura of Tropical Sound & Music Distributors, among others, in its warning.
The company alleges that the parties have been involved in promoting, distributing or streaming performances by Makore that feature Mapfumo's copyrighted material.
It argues that such activities may constitute infringement under Zimbabwe's Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05].
Promoters, event organisers and venue operators were warned to ensure that appropriate copyright licences are secured before allowing performances of Mapfumo's works.
The company said legal proceedings against Makore, promoters and other parties it considers responsible were already underway.
It also warned that the proceedings could include claims for damages and injunctions. The allegations, however, have not been tested or determined by a court.
Mapfumo's company is further demanding the removal of videos and livestreams featuring Makore performing songs from his catalogue.
The demand extends to platforms including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
Media organisations that have described Makore as Mapfumo's chosen heir were also urged to retract such reports.
The company said the portrayal could mislead audiences, promoters and venues into believing that Makore has been officially authorised to carry forward Mapfumo's musical catalogue.
Call for greater copyright awareness
The company also called on the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to strengthen copyright education across the creative sector.
It proposed workshops targeting musicians, promoters, venue operators and event organisers, with a focus on copyright law, licensing requirements and intellectual property protection.
Chimurenga Music Company said the dispute should not be reduced to a family disagreement between an uncle and his nephew.
"These actions are not about personal disputes – they are about defending the rule of law, protecting intellectual property, and preserving the dignity of creative labour," the company said.
The company said all future legal and licensing correspondence should be directed to Warara and Associates Legal Practitioners and Mapfumo's long-time manager, Cuthbert Simbarashe Chiromo.
In a strongly worded cease-and-desist notice dated August 8, 2026, Mapfumo's Chimurenga Music Company said Makore had never been granted permission to perform, record, stream or otherwise commercially exploit works from the veteran musician's catalogue.
The company said Mapfumo had personally encouraged his nephew to establish his own musical identity, but alleged that Makore continued performing songs from his uncle's repertoire despite being warned against doing so.
"His persistence in performing his uncle's copyrighted material without a licence is not a family dispute; it is a blatant and willful legal violation that can no longer be tolerated," the company said.
Mapfumo rejects 'heir' narrative
The company also rejected media reports portraying Makore as the heir to Mapfumo's Chimurenga legacy.
According to the statement, Mapfumo has never appointed Makore — or any other individual — as his successor.
The company said the claims arose after Makore was invited to perform as an opening act at a limited number of Mapfumo shows, with some reports subsequently interpreting the appearances as the veteran musician "passing the torch" to his nephew.
"This is a complete falsehood," the company said.
"Thomas Mapfumo has never designated any heir or successor to his musical legacy – by blood, by decree, or by any other means."
The company said musicians remained free to develop their own careers, but anyone seeking to commercially perform Mapfumo's copyrighted works would first have to obtain the necessary copyright clearances.
Chimurenga Music Company also named Chipaz Promotions, Primus Energy Corporation, Naison Marufu and Percival Percy Mukuchura of Tropical Sound & Music Distributors, among others, in its warning.
The company alleges that the parties have been involved in promoting, distributing or streaming performances by Makore that feature Mapfumo's copyrighted material.
Promoters, event organisers and venue operators were warned to ensure that appropriate copyright licences are secured before allowing performances of Mapfumo's works.
The company said legal proceedings against Makore, promoters and other parties it considers responsible were already underway.
It also warned that the proceedings could include claims for damages and injunctions. The allegations, however, have not been tested or determined by a court.
Mapfumo's company is further demanding the removal of videos and livestreams featuring Makore performing songs from his catalogue.
The demand extends to platforms including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
Media organisations that have described Makore as Mapfumo's chosen heir were also urged to retract such reports.
The company said the portrayal could mislead audiences, promoters and venues into believing that Makore has been officially authorised to carry forward Mapfumo's musical catalogue.
Call for greater copyright awareness
The company also called on the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to strengthen copyright education across the creative sector.
It proposed workshops targeting musicians, promoters, venue operators and event organisers, with a focus on copyright law, licensing requirements and intellectual property protection.
Chimurenga Music Company said the dispute should not be reduced to a family disagreement between an uncle and his nephew.
"These actions are not about personal disputes – they are about defending the rule of law, protecting intellectual property, and preserving the dignity of creative labour," the company said.
The company said all future legal and licensing correspondence should be directed to Warara and Associates Legal Practitioners and Mapfumo's long-time manager, Cuthbert Simbarashe Chiromo.
Source - nehanda
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