Zimura Says Churches Must Pay Licences For Music They Perform
The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) states that churches must obtain copyright licences for the copyrighted music they sing in services. The message was delivered on Burning Issues with Oscar Pambuka, where ZIMURA spokesperson Alexio Gwenzi explained why places of worship, cover bands and venues need licences before performing other people’s songs. According to the earGROUND TV interview, which premiered on 15 September 2025, Gwenzi said licensing is required by law and helps fund royalties for composers and publishers.
Gwenzi said in the interview: “If you are an organisation, whatever organisation that you are, if you are going to perform another person’s intellectual property, you are infringing on their copyright and you should pay for it.”
According to the earGROUND TV interview, the Zimura spokesperson added that some large churches already hold licences and gave Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s UFIC church as an example.
The law, the licences and the controversy
Gwenzi told Pambuka that ZIMURA is a non-profit collective management organisation which licenses “music users” and distributes royalties to rightsholders. He cited the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05] as the legal basis for licensing. According to [Veritas], the Act provides for copyright and neighbouring rights in Zimbabwe.
Introducing his point, Gwenzi said: “We license any business that is using music to push their business… broadcasters, hotels, lodges, restaurants, boutiques and television stations. Anyone who uses music.” He said membership stands around 5,000 creators. [I cannot verify this]
The interview also revisited ZIMURA’s disputed cover band tariff. Earlier this year, ZIMURA defended a US$150 (R2,604) per-show composers’ fee for bands that mostly play other artists’ songs. According to reports from March 2025, Gwenzi argued bands should price shows to include the fee. Later, on in April 2025, the Ministry of Justice suspended the tariff pending review.
Gwenzi said: “We create tariffs and deposit them with the Ministry… once stamped, we implement.” He refused to name high-earning bands but claimed some “make US$2,000 (R34,735) in one night.”
Churches, radio plays and what artists actually get
Pressed on churches, Gwenzi said ZIMURA’s approach is respectful of worship spaces but firm on licensing. He said fees vary by organisation, typically US$30–US$100 (R521–R1,736) depending on size and use.
He added that registration for artists costs US$20 (R347) and brings benefits such as funeral cover and an incapacitation allowance. In the interview, he cited a US$500 (R8,679) support figure agreed by members.
Gwenzi introduced the royalties discussion this way: “We pay for usage of music. If your music is not being used, you can’t get anything.” He cited historical per-play radio figures “around 7–12 cents” and said one of the **highest earners received about US$5,000 (R86,787) in the most recent distribution.
The interview also addressed leadership questions at ZIMURA. Gwenzi confirmed that Polisile Ncube-Chimhini remains Chief Executive while appealing a fraud conviction handed down in late June 2025. According to court records, Ncube-Chimhini was acquitted of forgery, convicted of fraud and has lodged an appeal.
Introducing ZIMURA’s stance, Gwenzi said: “She has led the organisation… we are in the High Court to appeal because we believe she should not have been convicted.”
Accountability questions remain
Pambuka pressed for numbers on annual collections and church tariff bands. Gwenzi said figures fluctuate and promised to provide specifics later. He also said most broadcasters pay, but “many owe” significant arrears to ZIMURA, which the organisation is pursuing.
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