Whistleblowers Allege “Systemic Looting” at ZIMURA as Board Election Looms

Whistleblowers have accused ZIMURA of systemic looting and governance collapse, prompting calls for a ZACC forensic probe as musicians demand transparency ahead of a disputed board election (image source)

Whistleblowers have filed a detailed complaint with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), accusing the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) of long-running corruption, governance failures, and the diversion of royalties that have left musicians with negligible payouts while administrators allegedly profit.

A four-page dossier dated October 3, 2025, lodged by stakeholders Phillip Chipfumbu and Farai Fred Nyakudanga, claims ZIMURA has functioned as a “personal fiefdom” for more than a decade and that no Annual General Meeting (AGM) has met the legal quorum of 1,000 members, rendering board decisions and financial disbursements unlawful. The complaint urges an immediate forensic audit and criminal probe by ZACC to recover funds and restore lawful governance.

Eyewitness accounts from musicians and union organisers describe widespread frustration and a sense of betrayal. Several artists say they receive as little as US$30 in annual royalties while administrators draw substantial monthly salaries — a disparity fuelling public outrage and calls for intervention by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Recreation. Senior musicians such as Chief Hwenje have publicly demanded ministerial action to restore integrity at ZIMURA.

Allegations against senior management are severe. The whistleblowers assert that the posts of Executive Director and Deputy Director, held by Polisile Ncube-Chimhini and Henry Makombe respectively, are not valid under ZIMURA’s Articles of Association — an argument reportedly reinforced by a High Court finding in July 2025 that cast doubt on the legality of certain executive appointments. The dossier further alleges misuse of royalties for personal expenses and an administrative cost ratio exceeding 40 percent, well above recommended thresholds, deepening suspicions of mismanagement.

Legal and industry experts say the claims, if substantiated, point to both governance collapse and regulatory failure. A music-industry analyst noted that collecting societies rely on transparency and credible audits to function, and that missing AGMs and opaque disbursements undermine trust — the foundation of royalty collection and distribution. Anti-corruption specialists add that whistleblower protection and rapid forensic audits are standard remedies when evidence suggests entrenched looting.

The complaint also alleges a pattern of intimidation and retaliatory legal actions against dissenting voices, with Chipfumbu and Nyakudanga reportedly facing trademark and cyberbullying suits they describe as fabricated attempts to silence them. Rights advocates warn that legal harassment can chill internal accountability and impede urgent investigations.

ZIMURA administers royalties vital to thousands of artists, and systemic failure threatens livelihoods, cultural production, and investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s creative economy. The upcoming board election has become contested territory, with critics arguing that an unlawful board should not preside over a process whose legitimacy is in dispute.

Whether ZACC opens a forensic probe, courts issue injunctive relief on the election, independent audits are published, or ministerial action follows — these developments will determine whether Zimbabwe’s musicians can reclaim transparency and accountability in the institutions meant to protect them.