The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) says it is confident of emerging stronger despite ongoing disputes within the country’s collective management sector, as it intensifies engagement with government to safeguard the interests of artists.
This comes as the organisation moved to clarify the outcome of a recent Supreme Court ruling involving the Zimbabwe Council of Copyright Owners (Zicco), insisting that the judgement favours Zimura contrary to claims circulating in the public domain.
In a statement released on March 5, Zimura said Zicco had misrepresented the outcome of the Supreme Court appeal by claiming victory in the matter.
According to Zimura, a careful reading of the ruling shows that the case has instead been referred back to the High Court for correction of a technical issue relating to the original order.
The dispute stems from a High Court matter in which Zimura sought a declaratory order confirming that Zicco had no authority to license Zimura’s repertoire or music belonging to its international affiliates under the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).
However, the High Court initially issued an interdict barring Zicco from licensing anyone to play copyrighted music rather than granting the specific declaratory relief sought by Zimura.
Zimura then filed a cross-appeal to correct what it described as a technical error in the form of the order.
The Supreme Court has now ruled that the matter should be referred back to the High Court so that the appropriate declaratory order can be issued.
“This development is favourable to Zimura and its members,” the organisation said, adding that it remains confident that the final order will clearly confirm that Zicco has no authority to license music belonging to Zimura and its international affiliates.
The association also urged music users, members and the public to disregard what it termed “deceptive propaganda”, maintaining that it remains the legitimate body mandated to license the public performance of its members’ works.
Meanwhile, amid the legal wrangle, Zimura has also been strengthening engagement with government as part of efforts to stabilise and grow the country’s music industry.
Last Wednesday, the organisation’s board chairperson Alexio Gwenzi led a Zimura delegation that met the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture deputy minister Emily Jesaya, to discuss the roadmap for Zimbabwe’s music industry.
During the meeting, Zimura outlined challenges currently facing the collective management organisation and assured the ministry that it is working to protect the interests of its members from external interference.
Jesaya emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between Zimura and the ministry, noting that improving the welfare of Zimbabwean artists remains a shared priority.
The engagement is part of broader efforts to build a more sustainable and transparent system for managing music rights in Zimbabwe while ensuring artists receive fair returns from the use of their creative works.
As the legal process continues, Zimura says it remains focused on strengthening the organisation and protecting the livelihoods of the thousands of musicians it represents.