ZIMURA Descends into Chaos as Board and Musicians Accuse Management of Going Rogue

Zimbabwe's music royalty collection society, the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), is embroiled in a full-blown governance crisis, pitting a faction of its own board and the nation's musicians' union against management accused of operating "rogue" and violating fundamental principles of accountability.

The escalating conflict, now spilling into public view through dueling statements, threatens the integrity of the institution tasked with protecting creators' rights and royalties. The crisis ignited publicly on January 13, 2026, when three ZIMURA Board Members — Dereck Mpofu, Joseph Garakara, and Gift Amuli — issued a joint statement disavowing a "Public Notice" issued by ZIMURA the previous day.

The directors declared the notice "unauthorized" and a severe breach of governance, asserting that all official communication is solely the mandate of the Communications Committee. They condemned what they perceived as a strategy of evasion and called for an immediate investigation into the unauthorized use of the company letterhead and a full audit of ZIMURA's social media credentials.

The Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZIMU) swiftly amplified the dissenting directors' claims, describing the situation as a "profound governance crisis" and hailing the board members' joint statement as courageous. ZIMU warned that the situation, if left unchecked, fatally compromises the integrity of an institution meant to protect creators, endangering the assets and trust of the artists it serves.

ZIMU issued a four-point plan calling for:The urgent convening of an Extraordinary General Meetin.The launch of an independent forensic audit into ZIMURA's finances and recent asset disposal.The suspension of key management figures pending clarification of their role. Full accountability for all individuals involved in the unauthorized communications and the Avondale transaction

The public clash between a faction of ZIMURA's board, the collective voice of Zimbabwean musicians, and management accused of operating without oversight presents an existential threat to the organization. Allegations of procedural breaches, intimidation, and unresolved conflicts of interest point to an institution in deep dysfunction .