- Three board directors of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) were fired on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
- The dismissals followed an unsanctioned press conference held by the accused directors on Monday, January 19, 2026.
- The ousted directors are accused of breaching the organisation’s code of conduct and destabilising ZIMURA.
- Musicians like Nox have called for the resignation of ZIMURA’s CEO, Polisile Ncube Chimhini, due to a fraud conviction from June 2025.
The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) is embroiled in an escalating internal conflict following the dramatic dismissal of three board directors. The contentious decision, announced by newly elected board chair Alexio Gwenzi, has intensified the ongoing power struggles within the organisation responsible for safeguarding musicians’ royalties. The directors, Derick Mpofu, Joseph Garakara, and Gift Amuli, were terminated for allegedly holding an unauthorized press conference and purportedly destabilizing the association.
This internal upheaval comes amidst broader discontent among Zimbabwean musicians regarding the management of their royalties and allegations of fraud. A YouTube video highlights the struggles of Zimbabwean artists, linking their financial woes to perceived issues within the music industry and ZIMURA’s operations. Calls for accountability have intensified, with prominent musicians urging changes in leadership, particularly questioning the continued tenure of CEO Polisile Ncube Chimhini, who was reportedly convicted of fraud in June 2025.
Timeline
- **January 23, 2026 (approx. 2:47 PM UTC):** News circulates about the ZIMURA board firings, highlighting the ongoing crisis within the music rights body.
- **January 22, 2026:** ZIMURA’s newly elected board chair, Alexio Gwenzi, officially dismisses three board members for ‘grave breaches of fiduciary duties.’
- **January 19, 2026:** The three soon-to-be-fired ZIMURA directors (Derick Mpofu, Joseph Garakara, Gift Amuli) hold an unsanctioned press conference, calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting and a forensic audit of the organisation.
Key Players
- **Alexio Gwenzi:** Newly elected ZIMURA Board Chair who initiated the firing of the three directors.
- **Derick Mpofu:** One of the dismissed ZIMURA board members.
- **Joseph Garakara:** One of the dismissed ZIMURA board members.
- **Gift Amuli:** One of the dismissed ZIMURA board members.
- **Polisile Ncube Chimhini:** ZIMURA CEO, whose past fraud conviction is a point of contention among musicians.
- **Nox:** Zimbabwean musician who has publicly called for the CEO’s resignation.
