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The Zimbabwe Council of Copyrights (ZICCO) has strongly denied allegations of corruption and mismanagement made by its former director, Dickson Nema, describing them as “unfounded, false, and malicious.”
Nema, who was dismissed in 2023 following a disciplinary hearing, resurfaced in the public eye during a press conference held in Harare on April 15, 2025, where he accused the organization of financial impropriety and unfair labour practices.
In response, ZICCO Chief Executive Officer, Tafadzwa Masembura, issued a detailed statement defending the integrity of the organization. He accused Nema of launching a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing ZICCO’s reputation following his dismissal for serious misconduct.
“Mr. Nema was dismissed after being found guilty in a disciplinary hearing, during which both parties were adequately represented,” Masembura said. “He was implicated in creating parallel structures intended to siphon off funds meant for ZICCO by issuing fake receipts and collecting payments from clients that were never accounted for.”
Masembura confirmed that the case was reported to the police and investigations are ongoing.
Addressing other staff departures, Masembura clarified that Loice T. Makuvise, a former clerk, voluntarily resigned on November 7, 2023, contrary to claims that she was pressured to leave. Tendai Tavarwisa also resigned a day earlier due to ill health, while Itai Godknows Rukara was dismissed on September 28, 2023, after pleading guilty to misconduct in an internal hearing.
ZICCO maintains it upholds transparency and adheres to fair labour standards. Masembura emphasized that resignation letters and disciplinary records are on file and available for verification.
While Nema accused the organization of diverting royalties, mismanaging funds, and unlawfully dismissing employees, ZICCO insists these claims are baseless. The organization labeled Nema a “renegade” acting out of bitterness and possibly being used by rival interests in the copyright management sector to destabilize the institution.
ZICCO urged the public and media to disregard Nema’s statements, assuring copyright holders that all royalties are managed with full transparency and accountability.
The council has been actively investing in initiatives to improve the livelihoods of artists, including land acquisition for agriculture and arts, provision of medical and legal cover, funeral benefits, and access to low-interest bank loans for income-generating projects.
Industry analysts believe the controversy may be part of a broader attempt by competitors to discredit ZICCO, which has gained a strong reputation for championing artists’ welfare.
