Chimurenga music guru, Thomas Mapfumo has warned Kurai Makore from continuing performing his music.
In a long scathing message on his official Facebook Page Mukanya wrote that Makore should stay away from his music.
“OFFICIAL NOTICE, WARNING, AND CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER
CHIMURENGA MUSIC COMPANY
TO: ALL PROMOTERS, EVENT ORGANISERS, VENUE OWNERS, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, MEDIA HOUSES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
SUBJECT: UNAUTHORIZED PERFORMANCES OF THOMAS MAPFUMO’S MUSIC BY KURAI MAKORE & FALSE MEDIA CLAIMS
DATE: AUGUST 8, 2026
________________________________________
1. STATUS OF KURAI MAKORE – UNAUTHORIZED AND DEFIANT
This serves as the final and unequivocal notice that Mr. Kurai Makore is NOT AUTHORIZED – and has never been authorized – to perform, record, stream, or commercially exploit any musical works belonging to the catalog of Thomas Mapfumo, which is exclusively owned and controlled by Chimurenga Music Company.
Despite repeated, clear, and personal warnings from Thomas Mapfumo himself – who has on multiple occasions advised his nephew to forge his own original artistic path – Kurai Makore has remained defiant and contemptuous of these admonitions. His persistence in performing his uncle’s copyrighted material without a licence is not a family dispute; it is a blatant and willful legal violation that can no longer be tolerated.
________________________________________
2. THE FALSE “HEIR” NARRATIVE – A MEDIA FABRICATION
Certain mischievous media outlets have irresponsibly peddled the false claim that Kurai Makore was “confirmed” as the heir to the Chimurenga Music throne or legacy. THIS IS A COMPLETE FALSEHOOD.
Thomas Mapfumo has never designated any heir or successor to his musical legacy – by blood, by decree, or by any other means. In African culture and in the arts, it is THE PEOPLE – the fans, the nation, and history itself – who ultimately decide who carries the mantle of a legend. What was an invitation to open for Thomas Mapfumo in a couple of shows was spun into a “handing down of a torch” to Kurai by some sections of the media. Mr Mapfumo never claimed to hold any torch that needed passing down to the next generation. Any artist is free to play whatever music they desire, but no one is authorized to play Thomas Mapfumo’s music without copyright clearance. No individual, family member, or media house can manufacture, claim, or bestow such a title. These fabricated narratives are a reckless attempt to:
• Legitimise unauthorised performances through false association
• Mislead promoters, venues, and the public into complicity
• Exploit the Mapfumo name for commercial gain without consent
These claims are rejected in their entirety and all media houses are WARNED to retract such false reports immediately. Continued dissemination of misinformation will expose them to legal liability for defamation and complicity in copyright infringement.
________________________________________
3. LEGAL INFRINGEMENTS – PERFORMANCE, STREAMING, AND COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION
The recent live streaming and promotion of Kurai Makore’s unauthorized performances by top promoters, Chipaz Promotions, Primus Energy Corporation, Naison Marufu and Mr Pacival Percy Mukuchura of Tropical Sound & Music Distributors, and others, constitute serious and actionable violations of:
• Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05] of Zimbabwe
• Performance Rights – public performance of copyrighted works without a valid ZIMURA licence is unlawful
• Related Rights – protecting the legal interests of performers and rights holders
These infringements are not only illegal but also undermine the economic and moral rights of Thomas Mapfumo, whose body of work is a national treasure.
________________________________________
4. LIABILITY OF PROMOTERS, VENUE OWNERS, AND ORGANISERS
ALL PROMOTERS, EVENT ORGANISERS, AND VENUE OWNERS are hereby placed on stern notice that they are jointly and severally liable for copyright violations occurring at their events. It is their legal duty to:
• Verify, prior to any performance, that the artist holds a valid music copyright licence from ZIMURA
• Refuse to engage or facilitate any artist who cannot produce such documentation
Failure to comply will result in:
• Penalties of US$100 per violation, in addition to outstanding licence fees
• Legal proceedings for contributory and vicarious infringement
• Claims for damages arising from unauthorised commercial use of copyrighted material
These legal obligations apply BOTH IN ZIMBABWE AND ABROAD, as Zimbabwe is a signatory to international copyright conventions (including the Berne Convention) that protect intellectual property across borders. Ignorance of the law is no defence.
________________________________________
5. DEMAND TO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
All social media platforms – including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and others – hosting videos, live streams, or any content featuring Kurai Makore performing Thomas Mapfumo’s unauthorised works are hereby REQUIRED to:
• Immediately remove all such material
• Cease any further distribution or promotion of such content
Failure to act will render these platforms liable for contributory infringement and subject to legal action.
________________________________________
6. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS – NOW IN PROGRESS
Legal proceedings against Kurai Makore, his promoters, and all other complicit parties are NOW ACTIVE. The legal consequences for continued violations are severe – including substantial financial penalties, injunctions, and criminal liability. Chimurenga Music Company will pursue these actions to the fullest extent of the law, without exception.
________________________________________
7. CALL TO THE NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE
Chimurenga Music Company urgently calls upon the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to:
• Conduct immediate and compulsory workshops to educate musicians, promoters, venue owners, and event organisers on copyright laws, licensing requirements, and the severe consequences of infringement
• Intensify advocacy to ensure copyright laws serve as effective protection against exploitation of creative works
• Support the formalisation of the creative sector and strengthen intellectual property enforcement mechanisms
Education is the first line of defence against the exploitation that currently plagues the industry. The NACZ must act decisively to protect the rights of all artists.
________________________________________
8. FINAL WARNING AND CLARIFICATION
To be absolutely clear:
• Kurai Makore is NOT the heir to Thomas Mapfumo’s legacy – THE PEOPLE are the true custodians of that legacy.
• NO PERMISSION has ever been granted to Kurai Makore to perform Thomas Mapfumo’s works – any claims to the contrary are false.
• ALL PROMOTERS, VENUES, AND PLATFORMS enabling these infringements are legally liable and will face prosecution.
• ALL MEDIA propagating false succession narratives must retract and desist immediately.
________________________________________
9. CONCLUSION – DEFENDING THE INTEGRITY OF CREATIVE WORKS
These actions are not about personal disputes – they are about defending the rule of law, protecting intellectual property, and preserving the dignity of creative labour. The unauthorised commercial exploitation of Thomas Mapfumo’s music without proper licensing steals from the artist, demoralises the industry, and sets a dangerous precedent for all Zimbabwean creators.
Chimurenga Music Company is unwavering in its commitment to protect the legacy of Thomas Mapfumo and the rights of all copyright holders. No one is above the law – not family, not promoters, not media, not platforms.
________________________________________
For all legal inquiries, licensing requests, or formal correspondence, contact Chimurenga Music Company’s legal representatives (Warara and Associates Legal Practitioners) and Mr Cuthbert Simbarashe Chiromo, directly.
________________________________________
Issued with full authority by:
CHIMURENGA MUSIC COMPANY
Owned by Thomas Mapfumo
________________________________________
THIS NOTICE IS FINAL. COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY. LEGAL ACTION IS IMMINENT FOR ALL NON-COMPLIANT PARTIES.
