Chimurenga music guru, Thomas Mapfumo has warned Kurai Makore from continuing performing his music.<\/p>\n
In a long scathing message on his official Facebook Page Mukanya wrote that Makore should\u00a0 stay away from his music.<\/p>\n
“OFFICIAL NOTICE, WARNING, AND CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER
\nCHIMURENGA MUSIC COMPANY
\nTO: ALL PROMOTERS, EVENT ORGANISERS, VENUE OWNERS, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, MEDIA HOUSES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
\nSUBJECT: UNAUTHORIZED PERFORMANCES OF THOMAS MAPFUMO’S MUSIC BY KURAI MAKORE & FALSE MEDIA CLAIMS
\nDATE: AUGUST 8, 2026
\n________________________________________
\n1. STATUS OF KURAI MAKORE \u2013 UNAUTHORIZED AND DEFIANT
\nThis serves as the final and unequivocal notice that Mr. Kurai Makore is NOT AUTHORIZED \u2013 and has never been authorized \u2013 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.
\nDespite repeated, clear, and personal warnings from Thomas Mapfumo himself \u2013 who has on multiple occasions advised his nephew to forge his own original artistic path \u2013 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.
\n________________________________________
\n2. THE FALSE “HEIR” NARRATIVE \u2013 A MEDIA FABRICATION
\nCertain 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.
\nThomas Mapfumo has never designated any heir or successor to his musical legacy \u2013 by blood, by decree, or by any other means. In African culture and in the arts, it is THE PEOPLE \u2013 the fans, the nation, and history itself \u2013 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 \u201chanding down of a torch\u201d 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\u2019s 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:
\n\u2022 Legitimise unauthorised performances through false association
\n\u2022 Mislead promoters, venues, and the public into complicity
\n\u2022 Exploit the Mapfumo name for commercial gain without consent
\nThese 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.
\n________________________________________
\n3. LEGAL INFRINGEMENTS \u2013 PERFORMANCE, STREAMING, AND COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION
\nThe 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:
\n\u2022 Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05] of Zimbabwe
\n\u2022 Performance Rights \u2013 public performance of copyrighted works without a valid ZIMURA licence is unlawful
\n\u2022 Related Rights \u2013 protecting the legal interests of performers and rights holders
\nThese infringements are not only illegal but also undermine the economic and moral rights of Thomas Mapfumo, whose body of work is a national treasure.
\n________________________________________
\n4. LIABILITY OF PROMOTERS, VENUE OWNERS, AND ORGANISERS
\nALL 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:
\n\u2022 Verify, prior to any performance, that the artist holds a valid music copyright licence from ZIMURA
\n\u2022 Refuse to engage or facilitate any artist who cannot produce such documentation
\nFailure to comply will result in:
\n\u2022 Penalties of US$100 per violation, in addition to outstanding licence fees
\n\u2022 Legal proceedings for contributory and vicarious infringement
\n\u2022 Claims for damages arising from unauthorised commercial use of copyrighted material
\nThese 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.
\n________________________________________
\n5. DEMAND TO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
\nAll social media platforms \u2013 including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and others \u2013 hosting videos, live streams, or any content featuring Kurai Makore performing Thomas Mapfumo’s unauthorised works are hereby REQUIRED to:
\n\u2022 Immediately remove all such material
\n\u2022 Cease any further distribution or promotion of such content
\nFailure to act will render these platforms liable for contributory infringement and subject to legal action.
\n________________________________________
\n6. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS \u2013 NOW IN PROGRESS
\nLegal proceedings against Kurai Makore, his promoters, and all other complicit parties are NOW ACTIVE. The legal consequences for continued violations are severe \u2013 including substantial financial penalties, injunctions, and criminal liability. Chimurenga Music Company will pursue these actions to the fullest extent of the law, without exception.
\n________________________________________
\n7. CALL TO THE NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE
\nChimurenga Music Company urgently calls upon the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to:
\n\u2022 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
\n\u2022 Intensify advocacy to ensure copyright laws serve as effective protection against exploitation of creative works
\n\u2022 Support the formalisation of the creative sector and strengthen intellectual property enforcement mechanisms
\nEducation 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.
\n________________________________________
\n8. FINAL WARNING AND CLARIFICATION
\nTo be absolutely clear:
\n\u2022 Kurai Makore is NOT the heir to Thomas Mapfumo’s legacy \u2013 THE PEOPLE are the true custodians of that legacy.
\n\u2022 NO PERMISSION has ever been granted to Kurai Makore to perform Thomas Mapfumo’s works \u2013 any claims to the contrary are false.
\n\u2022 ALL PROMOTERS, VENUES, AND PLATFORMS enabling these infringements are legally liable and will face prosecution.
\n\u2022 ALL MEDIA propagating false succession narratives must retract and desist immediately.
\n________________________________________
\n9. CONCLUSION \u2013 DEFENDING THE INTEGRITY OF CREATIVE WORKS
\nThese actions are not about personal disputes \u2013 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.
\nChimurenga 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 \u2013 not family, not promoters, not media, not platforms.
\n________________________________________
\nFor 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.
\n________________________________________
\nIssued with full authority by:
\nCHIMURENGA MUSIC COMPANY
\nOwned by Thomas Mapfumo
\n________________________________________
\nTHIS NOTICE IS FINAL. COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY. LEGAL ACTION IS IMMINENT FOR ALL NON-COMPLIANT PARTIES.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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