ZIMU calls for reform at ZIMURA following fraud conviction

According to the association, Ncube-Chimhini was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for submitting fraudulent company registration documents to the High Court. On 23 July 2025, the High Court, in the case of Farai Fred Nyakudanga versus Polisile Ncube-Chimhini, ruled that ZIMURA has no executive director position under its articles of association and that she holds no executive authority within the organisation.

ZIMU said Ncube-Chimhini should have stepped aside to address her legal case independently, arguing that her continued involvement has further undermined ZIMURA’s credibility. The union also questioned the decision by the ZIMURA board, through spokesperson Alexio Gwaze, to appeal against her conviction, saying it was a matter of personal liability and should not have been pursued on behalf of the organisation without approval from members through an emergency general meeting.

Concerns have also been raised about alleged intimidation of ZIMURA members critical of its leadership. ZIMU cited as an example an attempt to revoke the membership of its president, Edith Katiji, after she publicly criticised ZIMURA’s governance and its US$150 cover band tariff.

In a statement, ZIMU said the current ZIMURA board, chaired by Albert Nyathi, should resign, claiming it had lost legitimacy by supporting Ncube-Chimhini after her conviction. The union called for the appointment of an interim executive to oversee reforms and restore confidence in the organisation.

ZIMU also encouraged current and former ZIMURA staff to share information on alleged mismanagement, pledging legal and organisational support to whistle-blowers. The union said it will launch a campaign in the coming days to push for leadership change and structural reforms at ZIMURA, which is mandated to collect and distribute royalties for Zimbabwean musicians.