ZIMURA's $150 Tariff Controversy: Musicians Demand Transparency and Accountability

Three weeks after the Ministry of Justice's intervention to halt the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association's (ZIMURA) contentious US$150 tariff on cover bands, Zimbabwean musicians continue to face uncertainty as no final judgment has been issued on the matter. This petition calls for transparency, accountability, and leadership changes at ZIMURA to protect the interests of all musicians in Zimbabwe.

The Halted Tariff and Ongoing Concerns

On April 1, 2025, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs directed ZIMURA to immediately suspend its US$150 per-event license fee for cover bands and its unprecedented demand for 30% of total sponsorship revenue

.This intervention followed growing opposition from musicians and industry professionals who viewed the tariff as excessive and damaging to their livelihoods. Prior to this, the fee had been a manageable annual sum of US$50, making the new tariff a significant financial burden for performing artists

.Despite the Ministry's directive and a similar earlier call from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to suspend the tariff for further dialogue, critical questions remain unanswered:

Consultation: Where is evidence of proper stakeholder consultation before implementation?
Mandate: Did ZIMURA members approve this through an AGM motion or EGM?
Process: If a Board directive, why hasn't the binding resolution been produced?

ZIMU President Edith Katiji speaks on ZIMURAZIMURA's silence speaks volumes. Their refusal to provide meeting minutes or resolutions suggests either:

• The decision was made illegally without proper procedures
• They're hiding evidence of misconduct
• They consider themselves above accountability

Violation of Fiduciary Duty

Musicians across the country have faced cancelled performances and lost income due to this controversy. While ZIMURA has publicly stated willingness to "revisit the tariff if proper lobbying processes are followed", the organization has failed to engage in transparent, good faith dialogue with its members, performers and other stakeholders about the fundamental issues at stake. The Board has failed to give an statement on the issue to date. 

ZIMURA's Obligation to Transparency

As a non-governmental revenue-collecting society representing over 4,000 musicians, ZIMURA has a fiduciary duty to operate transparently and in the best interests of its members. The organization's Articles of Association require maintaining records of meeting minutes and Board resolutions, which should be available to members upon request.

Yet, despite these requirements, ZIMURA's secretariat has reportedly refused to produce minutes of past meetings or recent Board resolutions related to the tariff decision. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the tariff implementation and suggests potential governance failures within the organization.

While ZIMURA claims to be "protecting and promoting the rights of musicians in Zimbabwe" their actions regarding this tariff contradict their stated mission. The discrepancy between ZIMURA's public relations efforts and their actual governance practices has eroded trust among the musicians they claim to represent.

Leadership Failures and Conflicts of Interest

Under the leadership of Executive Director Polisile Ncube Chimhini,  ZIMURA has faced increasing criticism for unilateral decision-making that appears to prioritize revenue generation over the welfare of musicians. The Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZIMU) has issued clear demands for change, including calls for the resignation of the current ZIMURA Board and the termination of the management team.

Of particular concern is the continued involvement of Hope Masike, who sits on boards of both ZIMURA and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. Her dual position raises legitimate questions about whose interests are being served in these regulatory decisions and undermines confidence in the impartiality of both organizations. It is a generally expected that individuals who sit on the boards of National organs such as the NACZ are beyond reproach and serve national interests. By supporting the cruelty and predatory behaviour Ms Masike has left herself and the NACZ in a precarious position. The fact that Hope Masike has remained silent throughout this controversy has not helped allay these concerns held by artists.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Three weeks after the Ministry's intervention, Zimbabwean musicians deserve resolution, transparency, and accountable leadership. We therefore petition for:

1. Full disclosure of all Board resolutions and meeting minutes related to the US$150 tariff decision
2. A comprehensive independent review of ZIMURA's governance practices
3. The resignation of the current ZIMURA Board members who either approved this measure or failed to reign in the management.
4. The removal of the management team
5. A forensic audit of ZIMURA’s finances.
6. A fair, transparent consultation process with all stakeholders to establish reasonable tariffs that support rather than harm Zimbabwe's music industry

Musicians cannot thrive when the very organization meant to protect them operates behind closed doors and imposes burdensome financial requirements without proper consultation or justification. It's time for ZIMURA to be held accountable and for new leadership that truly serves Zimbabwe's rich musical community.

Zimbabwean musicians cannot be held hostage by an organization that:

• Taxes our performances into oblivion
• Operates like a cartel rather than a collective member driven association
  Shows more loyalty to revenue than to artists
• Resorts to threats, intimidation and lawfare whenever it faces scrutiny or criticism

Sign the petition now to demand:
✅ #ZIMURAMustFall
✅ #EndTheChaos
✅ #NoToArtistExploitation

https://www.change.org/StopZimura150Fee

Our music deserves better. Our industry deserves better. Together, we will reclaim what's ours!