ZIMU condemns ZIMURA’s cover song licensing fee

ZIMURA requires musicians to pay $150 per band per performance, meaning a band with three shows in a week would owe $450 to the collective management organisation.

According to ZIMU, licensing fees for public performances are traditionally the responsibility of venues and event organisers, who secure broad performance rights that cover all artists performing at their establishments. This practice is standard in countries such as the United States, South Africa, and across the European Union, and has previously been upheld by Zimbabwe’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act (Chapter 26:05), which ZIMURA itself has followed for years.

By shifting this financial responsibility to individual artists, ZIMURA has disrupted a long-standing system, creating uncertainty across the music industry. The directive has not been clearly communicated, leaving musicians and venues confused about how and when the fee will be enforced. As a result, some venues have already suspended live performances to avoid potential legal risks, depriving many musicians of their primary source of income.

ZIMU has also raised concerns about the policy’s disproportionate impact on women in music, many of whom rely on cover performances to sustain their careers. The union’s United Women in Music desk has announced plans to petition the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises to intervene, warning that the directive could reverse years of progress for female artists.

ZIMU further questions how such a high fee was introduced in an economy where even established venues are struggling. The directive, the union argues, could be especially damaging to rural artists, who already face limited opportunities.

“Performing cover songs is a legitimate and celebrated profession that keeps Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage alive,” ZIMU said. “Penalising musicians with excessive fees undermines artistic expression and contradicts the spirit of copyright law.”

The musicians’ union has called for “immediate withdrawal of the $150 licensing fee for artists, reinstatement of the responsibility for licensing compliance to venues and event organisers and urgent dialogue between ZIMU, ZIMURA, musicians, government representatives, and other stakeholders to find a fair solution.”

Speaking to Music In Africa, ZIMU president Edith WeUtonga said: “Cover bands have not denied acknowledgment of composers but believe ZIMURA should have engaged with all stakeholders before enforcing a punitive action against the very people it represents.

Cover bands have not denied acknowledgment of composers but ZIMURA should have engaged with all stakeholders before enforcing a punitive action against the very people it represents.”

ZIMU warned that ZIMURA’s actions have eroded trust within the industry and called on the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to step in to resolve the issue before further damage is done.

ZIMURA’s justification for the licensing fee

In a recent statement, ZIMURA defended its decision, stating that live bands performing cover versions or copyrighted music must obtain a $150 licence per event. The organisation placed the responsibility on venues and event organisers to ensure that bands have valid copyright licences before booking them.

ZIMURA warned that venues failing to verify a band’s licensing status before a performance would face a $100 penalty in addition to the $150 licence fee per event if an unlicensed band is found performing.

Despite this clarification, ZIMU maintains that the directive is unfair and unworkable, arguing that it threatens the livelihoods of musicians and the vibrancy of Zimbabwe’s live music scene.

Meanwhile in a meeting held last night, ZIMURA declared that “no landlord negotiates rent with a tenant, you pay or you find somewhere else.”