Dear Supporters,

It has been 7 days since the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs directed ZIMURA to suspend its controversial $150 per band per gig tariff and the 30% sponsorship levy. While this was a much-needed intervention, providing temporary relief to a sector already plagued by five weeks of chaos and anxiety, the battle is far from over. ZIMURA continues to resist change and has doubled down on its efforts to justify these exploitative practices.

What’s Happening Now?

Uncertainty Over the Ministry’s Position:

The Ministry’s letter did not explicitly declare the $150 tariff and 30% levy as illegal, burdensome, or restrictive. It only stated that these fees lacked prior approval and must be suspended until further notice.
This leaves room for the possibility that these tariffs could be approved in the future, creating ongoing anxiety for artists who rely on live performances for their livelihoods.

ZIMURA’s Propaganda Campaign:

Instead of addressing the concerns raised by artists, ZIMURA has launched a propaganda campaign to defend its actions. This includes:

Collaborating with a local television station to produce a video featuring family members of deceased musical legends advocating for licensing fees.
Circulating this video across online platforms in an attempt to garner public sympathy.
Ironically, ZIMURA is using widows and orphans of composers—individuals it has failed to support adequately over its 43-year history—to justify its exploitative practices.

Recruitment of Licensing Inspectors:

In a clear sign of defiance, ZIMURA is actively recruiting licensing inspectors to expand its operations, as seen in their recent job advertisement. This move further demonstrates their intent to enforce these fees aggressively despite widespread opposition.

Board and Management Silence:

The ZIMURA board has remained silent throughout this crisis, raising questions about whether they are complicit in management’s actions or simply failing in their fiduciary duties.

Our Response
As ZIMU, we are also digging in. We remain steadfast in our fight for justice and fairness for Zimbabwean artists. The persistent mismanagement, lack of financial transparency, and breaches of fiduciary duty by ZIMURA’s leadership have severely compromised its mandate. Artists deserve better.

Our Demands
We respectfully call on the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to take decisive action by:

1. Commissioning an Immediate Forensic Audit:
   To uncover any financial irregularities and ensure accountability.
2. Dissolving the Current Board:
   For gross negligence and failure to protect artists’ interests.
3. Terminating Current Management for Cause:
   Persistent mismanagement cannot go unpunished.
4. Appointing an Independent Interim Committee:
   To oversee ZIMURA’s operations during this transitional period.
5. Implementing Governance Reforms:
   To create a transparent, fair, and artist-friendly system moving forward.

Your Role in This Fight
Your continued support is critical as we push for lasting reforms in Zimbabwe’s music industry. Please share this update widely and encourage others to join our cause by signing this petition. Together, we can hold ZIMURA accountable and build a better future for all artists.

Thank you for standing with us!

In solidarity,

Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZIMU)

#EndZIMURATerror #JusticeForArtists #NewEraForMusic