THE Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has cracked a whip on vocal Warren Park bred producer Lazarus ‘Lazzie T’ Chapo, accusing him of bringing the name of the organization into disrepute.
Lazzie T was summoned for a disciplinary hearing after he recorded a video questioning the sanity (or lack thereof) of a registration fee of ZW$800 for new artistes, yet no royalties are being disbursed.
“What do you want the money for if you have not yet paid me?
“I have already have a backlog ,but now you want a registration fee for new artists whilst we are not yet paid in 5 years,” he said in the video that went viral on social media.
In a statement released Monday by the Zimura deputy director Henry Makombe, the board has decided to call for a disciplinary hearing set for December 5.
“The disciplinary hearing meeting will be held on December 5 at Zimura offices around 1400hrs,”he said.
Zimura warned Lazzie T that if Lazzie T absconds, a default judgment will be passed.
The dreadlocked producer’s sentiments echo deafening calls from musicians who are complaining that ZIMURA is fleecing them.
“We want ZIMURA board to be disbanded; there are criminals in that board.
“In any case they (ZIMURA) should be the ones appearing on the disciplinary hearing for abusing funds, not Lazzie T.
“We can’t be bullied by ZIMURA the same way they tried to bully Kireni Zulu for speaking out,” said a musician who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Music critic and arts entrepreneur Plot Mhako has challenged musicians to act in solidarity and rally behind Lazzie T.