The High Court of Zimbabwe has reinstated the Alexio Gwenzi-led Board of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), bringing to an end a period of uncertainty over the leadership of the country’s music rights body and restoring governance clarity to the organisation.
In a consent order granted in Harare on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, before Justice Kwenda, and issued on 5 November 2026 under Case No. HCH1741/26, the court set aside the termination of three board members, ruling that their removal from office was unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and in breach of Section 3 of the Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28].
The three board members vindicated by the order are Board Chairperson Alexio Gwenzi, Vice Chairperson Farai Farai, who is cited in the court papers as First Batani, and Treasurer Evelyn Natsai Moyo. They had approached the court challenging the decision to terminate their appointments, citing the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as the first respondent, the Office for the Registration of Companies and Other Business Entities as the second respondent, the Chief Registrar of Companies and Other Business Entities as the third respondent, and ZIMURA as the fourth respondent.
In court, the applicants were represented by W P Zhangazha, while L T Muradzikwa appeared for the first, second and third respondents. ZIMURA, as the fourth respondent, was in default. After considering the documents filed of record and hearing counsel, the court ordered by consent that the termination be set aside, effectively restoring the trio to office, and that each party bear its own costs.
In a press release issued on 6 November 2026, ZIMURA confirmed that all court proceedings regarding the constitution of its Board of Directors have now been fully concluded. The association said the Order of Consent was formally reached following constructive legal engagements between the legal representative of the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the legal counsel representing the ZIMURA Board members.
ZIMURA expressed gratitude to all parties involved in reaching an amicable resolution to the matter, including the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Moving forward, the Board said it is committed to actively engaging the Ministry to build a collaborative working relationship aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s copyright ecosystem.
The association stressed that its priority remains the robust protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for local music creators, while upholding Zimbabwe’s international obligations under the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the TRIPS Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, and the reciprocal agreements maintained with international Collective Management Organisations under the global framework of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).
With governance clarity now restored, the reinstated Board will turn its full focus to advancing royalty collection and distribution, enhancing operational efficiency, and safeguarding the livelihoods of rights holders across the nation and beyond.
