ZIMURA Scandal Deepens as Property Sale Is Reversed, Musicians Push for EGM and Rally in Solidarity

ZIMURA's new Board Members

The crisis engulfing the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has intensified after the organisation reversed the sale of its offices, following sustained public outrage over alleged governance failures, conflicts of interest, and lack of transparency.

The reversal comes in the wake of an exposé by EarGround TV, with supporting investigations by Southerton Business Times, which raised serious questions about the transaction. The sale was allegedly linked to a company associated with ZIMURA board member Alexio Gwenzi, triggering accusations of self-dealing and breach of fiduciary duty. For many musicians, the U-turn is being viewed as a rare but significant victory and evidence that sustained pressure is beginning to yield results.

A Governance Crisis Years in the Making

The property saga follows closely on the resignation of ZIMURA’s former executive director, Polisile Ncube Chimhini, whose tenure collapsed under the weight of governance and credibility concerns after a fraud conviction. Her departure intensified calls for structural reform within ZIMURA, with musicians arguing that individual resignations alone are insufficient to fix systemic rot.

The Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZIMU) has emerged as one of the strongest voices demanding accountability. The union has cited persistent failures in governance, alleged misrepresentation of members’ interests, and repeated violations of corporate protocol. ZIMU is now mobilising musicians nationwide to support calls for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), with a petition reportedly gaining traction across provinces.

What an EGM Could Mean for ZIMURA

An EGM would be a pivotal moment for ZIMURA. Unlike routine annual meetings, an EGM allows members to confront urgent issues head-on. Musicians are expected to push for:

• Board accountability, including the possible removal or recall of directors implicated in controversial decisions.

• A forensic audit of ZIMURA’s finances, particularly around property, licensing revenue, and royalty distributions.

• Governance reforms, including tighter conflict-of-interest rules and clearer reporting obligations to members.

• Restoration of trust, which many artists say has been eroded by years of opacity.

If successfully convened, the EGM could fundamentally reshape how ZIMURA is run or expose deep resistance to reform.

Government Intervention and Rising Stakes

The controversy has already drawn the attention of the State. Government authorities have suspended ZIMURA’s disputed licensing tariffs and called for urgent dialogue, signalling that patience with internal dysfunction is wearing thin. For a collective management organisation entrusted with artists’ livelihoods, the stakes could not be higher.

Solidarity in Court: Gift Amuli Case

Against this backdrop, musician and activist Gift Amuli is set to appear at the Harare Magistrates Court today, Friday, adding another flashpoint to the unfolding crisis. Derek Mpofu has issued a call for musicians to attend the court proceedings in solidarity. In his message to artists, Mpofu urged strict adherence to court decorum and dress code, emphasising dignity, discipline, and unity:

“See you tomorrow at the Magistrates Court, Rotten Row, at 9am. Do not forget your National ID.”

The coordinated court appearance underscores a growing sense among musicians that the struggle over ZIMURA is no longer just administrative, it is about power, accountability, and the future of Zimbabwe’s music industry. As pressure mounts from members, unions, the courts, and the State, ZIMURA now stands at a crossroads: meaningful reform, or deeper crisis.

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