High Court Reverses Govt Move Against ZIMURA Board
Weeks after the Government dissolved the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) board over allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement and governance failures, the High Court has reinstated the Alexio Gwenzi-led leadership pending the finalisation of court proceedings.
The ruling marks a dramatic twist in the crisis that has engulfed the musicians’ royalties body following growing complaints from artistes over low royalty payouts, alleged maladministration and internal divisions within the organisation.
ZIMURA confirmed the development in a statement issued after the court ruling, saying the reinstated board would immediately resume running the association’s affairs while the matter proceeds through the courts.
Board Returns Weeks After Govt Intervention
The Government dissolved the board in April 2026 following mounting pressure from musicians and allegations surrounding ZIMURA’s handling of finances and governance issues.
At the time, acting ZIMURA director Henry Makombe told The Herald that the organisation’s secretariat would continue operating while authorities moved to appoint an interim administrator.
Makombe reportedly said:
“We continue operating as the Secretariat, awaiting for the Interim Administrator to be appointed by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and ultimately the establishment of the new board.”
However, weeks later, the High Court has reinstated Alexio Gwenzi, First Farai Batani and Evelyn Natsai Moyo to continue leading the organisation pending the outcome of the legal challenge.
In its statement, ZIMURA said:
“The effect of this important Court result is that Alexio Gwenzi, First Farai Batani and Evelyn Natsai Moyo have been reinstated with immediate effect to continue to run the affairs of ZIMURA until the Court process is finalised.”
The association added:
“This leadership remains deeply committed to the effective, transparent and efficient collection and distribution of royalties to the very musicians and rights holders the Association was founded to serve.”
Musicians Raised Concerns Over Royalties
The Government’s intervention followed months of criticism from musicians who accused the organisation of failing to fairly distribute royalties.
Alick Macheso was among the prominent voices who publicly questioned the association’s operations.
Speaking in March 2026, Macheso reportedly said:
“The chaos at Zimura exists for a reason. Musicians do not make noise without cause.”
He added:
“This association does not belong to them — it belongs to every member.”
Figures released by ZIMURA in September 2024 showed that the association distributed US$95,000 (approximately R1,748,000) to more than 3,500 members.
However, some artistes complained that their payouts were too small.
Producer and songwriter Charles Ayibeki reportedly received just US$5.60 (approximately R103) for one of his songs.
Ayibeki said:
“Initially, when I called, I was told there were no royalties collected for my songs. After several follow-ups, they finally admitted there was a payout, but it was only US$5.60.”
Macheso also criticised the practicality of some royalty collections.
“An artiste is invited from as far as Bulawayo to collect royalties that do not even cover their bus fare,” he said.
Leadership Crisis Deepened Tensions
The turmoil at ZIMURA intensified after controversy surrounding the attempted sale of two flats in Avondale, Harare, in January 2026. Reports indicated that the transaction was later reversed following backlash.
The association was also rocked by leadership tensions after long-serving executive director Polisile Ncube-Chimhini stepped down following her fraud conviction in June 2025.
Despite the criticism, First Farai Batani previously defended the organisation’s royalty distribution system.
Batani reportedly said:
“There is a functional system in place.”
He added:
“It is unfortunate that some musicians demand more when their music is simply not being played.”
ZIMURA, founded in 1982, is responsible for collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of composers, publishers and authors in Zimbabwe.
The legal battle over the leadership of the organisation is expected to continue in the courts.
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