NACZ Intervenes in ZIMURA Tariff Dispute, Suspends $150 Per Event Fee

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has stepped in to address the controversy surrounding the recent tariff hike announced by the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA). In a statement released following a series of stakeholder engagements, the NACZ has suspended the implementation of the $150 per event tariff until further consultations are concluded. This was announced today in a statement from Mr Napoleon Nyanhi, the Executive Director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.

By Plot Mhako

The issue came to light after ZIMURA’s directive, dated 25 February 2025, surfaced on social media in early March. The directive mandated that every band performing at an establishment must hold a valid ZIMURA license costing $150 per event, a sharp increase from the previous annual fee of $50. This announcement led to widespread concerns among venue owners, who promptly canceled band bookings to comply with the new policy, affecting the livelihoods of many musicians.

In response to mounting complaints, the NACZ convened a stakeholder meeting on 21 March 2025. The meeting included representatives from ZIMURA, copyright holders, and copyright users. Discussions revealed significant concerns regarding the sudden shift in licensing structure from an annual to a per-event fee, the punitive nature of the tariff, and the deviation from international best practices that typically place the financial burden on venues rather than artists.

During the engagement, copyright holders—many of whom are widows and children of deceased musical legends—raised grievances about cover bands profiting from copyrighted material without compensating the rightful owners. While stakeholders agreed that intellectual property rights must be respected and royalties fairly distributed, they also called for a more balanced approach that does not stifle live performances.

Following further discussions on 27 March, copyright holders insisted that the $150 tariff should be a baseline fee, with higher rates applied to large concerts. However, recognizing the complexities of the issue, NACZ has committed to facilitating a broader consultation to reach an equitable solution.

As part of its resolution, the NACZ has directed ZIMURA to:

1. Regularize its registration with NACZ as an arts association in compliance with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Act Chapter 25:07 and statutory instrument 87 of 2006.
2. Immediately suspend the $150 tariff directive until registration and further dialogue are completed.

The NACZ reiterated its commitment to fostering the development of the arts in Zimbabwe while ensuring fair compensation for copyright holders. It has urged stakeholders to engage with civility and patience as efforts continue to resolve the dispute.”

The next steps will involve targeted engagements with rights users, leading up to a larger consultative forum aimed at reaching a sustainable solution that protects artistic intellectual property while supporting grassroots development in the music industry.