Court Reinstates Three ZIMURA Board Members Amid Governance Storm

By Kudakwashe Takundwa

The High Court of Zimbabwe has temporarily reinstated three Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, ZIMURA, board members in a major legal twist following Government’s recent dismissal of the entire board.

Board chairperson Alexio Gwenzi, vice chairperson First Batani and board treasurer Evelyn Natsai Moyo successfully challenged their removal after filing an urgent court application at the High Court in Harare.

In a provisional order issued under case number HCH1742/26, the court suspended Government’s decision to terminate the trio’s appointments pending the final determination of the matter.

Part of the court order reads:

“The Applicants be and are hereby permitted to continue exercising their functions as Board Members of 4th Respondent without interference.”

The ruling also ordered that any steps already taken to enforce the dismissal of the board members be halted until the matter is fully heard.

Another section of the provisional order states:

“The execution of the Administrative decision of the 1st Respondent dated 26 March 2026 terminating the Applicants’ appointments as Board Members of 4th Respondent be and is hereby stayed.”

The respondents cited in the case include the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Office for the Registration of Companies and Other Business Entities, the Registrar of Companies and Other Business Entities, and ZIMURA itself.

Government dissolved the ZIMURA board in March this year following allegations of governance failures, lack of transparency, financial irregularities and concerns over the administration of musicians’ royalties.

The move came amid growing pressure from local artistes and stakeholders who have repeatedly raised concerns over royalty distributions and accountability within the organisation.

Reports also suggested that internal divisions within the board had intensified over disputes involving property transactions, leadership appointments and the handling of organisational affairs.

The latest court decision now sets the stage for a potentially significant legal showdown over the control and governance of Zimbabwe’s music royalties body.

ZIMURA was formed in 1982 and is mandated to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of musicians, composers, authors and music publishers in Zimbabwe. The organisation plays a central role in protecting intellectual property rights within the country’s music industry.