In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s arts and music industry, the Government has dissolved the entire Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) board with immediate effect, citing serious governance and operational failures.
By Advent Shoko
The sweeping decision, which effectively removes the Alexio Gwenzi-led board from office, comes amid mounting concerns over financial transparency, fiduciary responsibility, board legitimacy and actions said to be inconsistent with ZIMURA’s core mandate.
The move marks one of the biggest governance interventions in Zimbabwe’s creative sector in recent years and could signal the beginning of a far-reaching institutional reset within the country’s music rights body.
According to the official communication, all board members have been instructed to immediately cease all duties and responsibilities and hand over all association documents, records and materials to an interim administrator within seven days.
Government authorities say the interim structure will oversee day-to-day operations while investigations continue and accountability mechanisms are restored.
This is a developing governance story with potentially wide implications for artists, royalty administration and intellectual property management in Zimbabwe.
Government cites serious governance failures
At the heart of the decision are allegations of deep-rooted governance problems within ZIMURA.
Authorities flagged issues including:
- lack of fiduciary responsibility
- questionable board legitimacy
- poor financial accountability
- operational decisions outside ZIMURA’s legal mandate
The crackdown follows weeks of intensifying pressure from artists, stakeholders and former board-linked figures who had openly challenged the leadership structure.
For many in the creative industry, the decision may be seen as a long-awaited intervention in an institution that plays a critical role in protecting artists’ rights and collecting royalties.
Dereck Mpofu hails “system overhaul”
Reacting to the development, musician and stakeholder Dereck Mpofu described the board dissolution as “a triumph for members” and a decisive end to what he called a culture of impunity.
In a strongly worded statement, Mpofu said the move validates concerns that had been raised over board legitimacy and financial mismanagement. He said:
“The era of accountability has arrived,”
He added that the struggle was never about replacing individuals with new faces, but about a complete structural overhaul of the system.
According to Mpofu, the Government’s intervention confirms longstanding concerns around:
- governance failures
- lack of accountability
- weak fiduciary controls
- disregard for members’ welfare
He further said the development represents a new dawn for Zimbabwean creators, many of whom have for years demanded transparency in how royalties are managed and distributed.
Plot Mhako says he feels vindicated
Award-winning journalist and arts commentator Plot Mhako also weighed in, saying the latest development left him with a deep sense of vindication.
Mhako revealed that just last week he had handed himself over to the police in connection with reports linked to ZIMURA and former board members.
He described the experience as deeply unsettling. The Germany-based reporter said:
“The threat of detention, of losing my freedom, was very real and terrifying.”
Mhako said he had spent years speaking out against what he believed were irregularities within the association, despite the personal risks.
His remarks add another layer to a story that is fast becoming bigger than a simple board reshuffle, one now touching on governance, legal processes, artistic freedoms and institutional credibility.
Why this matters for Zimbabwean artists
ZIMURA sits at the centre of Zimbabwe’s music ecosystem.
Its core role includes:
- protecting music rights
- collecting royalties
- distributing earnings to artists
- managing licensing matters
Any governance crisis within the body directly affects musicians, composers, producers and performers across the country.
For many artists, the biggest question now is whether the interim administration will restore trust and ensure that royalty systems become more transparent and fair.
This development is likely to be closely watched by artists from gospel, sungura, Zimdancehall, urban grooves and contemporary Afro-fusion spaces.
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