Zimbabwe: 'No Corruption On This Land Beats Zimura's!' - Musicians Demand Reforms At Music Rights Body
Zimbabwean musicians have petitioned Parliament to investigate the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) over allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Artists claim they receive minimal royalties while management earns high salaries.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights systemic issues in collective management organizations and the struggle for fair compensation for creative workers in Zimbabwe.
Musicians have called on the government to intervene at the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), accusing the organisation's management of corruption, non-payment of royalties and unfair dismissal of board members.
Giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services on Monday, the artists said ZIMURA was failing to fulfil its mandate as a collective management organisation.
Beneficiaries told committee members they were receiving as little as US$10 to US$30 a year in royalties.
Eunice Dembo, widow of the late Sungura legend Leonard Dembo, popularly known as "Mai Morgan", broke down in tears as she addressed the committee.
"Nzwirai tsitsi kuchirikadzi nenherera. Tikutambura isu. Tiri vanhuwo. Toda kuraramawo mararamiro amunoita ( Have mercy on the widow and orphans. We are suffering. We are just people. We also want to live the way you live.) ," she said.
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