Zimura boss Polisile resigns

After 30 years of service, Polisile Ncube-Chimhini, the chief executive of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), resigned, sparking a fresh discussion about legal compliance, governance, and internal conflicts inside the nation’s primary music rights organization.

Confirming the development, Zimura Chairperson Alexio “GC” Gwenzi said the “mutual agreement for disengagement” marked “a sad day for the Zimbabwe music industry”, describing Ncube-Chimhini as a leader of “immense calibre” who had served the organisation with distinction since its formative years.

“It’s sad that Zimura is losing a leader of immense calibre who has served with distinction since the organisation’s early years,” Gwenzi said.

The mutual decision to terminate her contract follows controversy surrounding a fraud conviction linked to the stamping of a regulatory Form CR6, an issue which Gwenzi said had been mischaracterised by critics.

“It is vital to set the record straight: the administrative issue regarding the regulator’s stamping of a Form CR6 was not a failure of leadership, but a technicality weaponised by detractors to tarnish a brilliant legal mind,” he said.

Gwenzi accused what he termed Zimura “detractors” of exploiting the matter to damage Ncube-Chimhini’s reputation, adding that, as a qualified legal professional, she was justified in stepping aside to protect her name from further “unfounded tarnishment”.

During her tenure, Gwenzi said, Ncube-Chimhini demonstrated resilience by steering the organisation through the economic instability of 2007–2008 and the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also highlighted her international profile, noting that she recently served as chair of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (Cisac) African Chapter, representing Zimbabwe on the global intellectual property stage.

Gwenzi warned that internal divisions and external interference now posed a risk to the institution itself, alleging collusion between a former board factions removed for misconduct and outside actors seeking to destabilise Zimura.

“We are currently navigating a period of external machinations orchestrated by a faction removed for misconduct. Their attempts to destabilise the board do not represent our 5000-strong membership,” he said.

He stressed that Zimura remained committed to its international obligations, including those under the Berne Convention, and cautioned that any collapse of the organisation would damage Zimbabwe’s standing.

“As a nation bound by international treaties like the Berne Convention, we have a duty to protect the intellectual property of both local and international composers. The potential collapse of such an institution would be a stain on our country’s reputation,” Gwenzi said.

The Zimura chairperson said the board had appealed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to intervene to safeguard the future of the organisation and the broader music sector.