The Zimbabwe Musicians Union has demanded an urgent review of the 2024 audit report of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, accusing both the auditors and the organisation of serious governance lapses, misrepresentation, and ethical violations.

In a letter dated October 19, 2025 addressed to Baker Tilly Chartered Accountants — the firm that audited ZIMURA — ZIMU president Edith Katiji alleged that the auditors ignored key procedural and ethical irregularities. 

Copies of the letter were also sent to the Companies and Intellectual Property Office, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.

Katiji said the 2024 audited financial statements failed to comply with ZIMURA’s Articles of Association because they were signed only by board chairperson Albert Nyathi and “executive director” Polisile Ncube-Chimhini, without the required signature of the company secretary. Section 59 of the Articles mandates that the company seal must be accompanied by signatures from two directors and the secretary.

The musicians’ union also questioned the validity of the document, claiming that Ncube-Chimhini signed under a title that does not exist within ZIMURA’s governance structure. Katiji cited a High Court ruling in Farai Fred Nyakudanga v Polisile Ncube-Chimhini (HH 438-25), which found that Ncube-Chimhini does not hold the position of executive director.

ZIMU further accused the auditors of omitting material information, including Ncube-Chimhini’s reported fraud conviction, while referencing unrelated cases such as Simbisa Brands Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd. 

Katiji said the failure to disclose the conviction undermined the report’s integrity and transparency, adding that responsible governance required suspension rather than concealment.

The letter alleged that ZIMURA continues to face multiple governance and legal challenges, including police investigations into fraud and ongoing court cases involving board members. ZIMU argued that the auditors’ failure to acknowledge these issues amounted to a serious breach of professional responsibility.

ZIMU also questioned discrepancies in the directors’ list published in the audit report, saying it did not match official records at the Deeds Office. The union noted that one director, Philip Chipfumbu, was omitted from the list.

The organisation further raised doubts about Baker Tilly’s independence, suggesting that the firm may have relied too heavily on information provided by ZIMURA’s management without proper verification. 

Katiji said the audit report created confusion by alternating responsibility for financial statements between management and the board, contrary to ZIMURA’s Articles of Association.

ZIMU urged Baker Tilly to withhold the report from ZIMURA’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for 22 October 2025, warning that presenting it would be reckless and unethical. 

The union called for an immediate reassessment of the audit, public disclosure of Ncube-Chimhini’s legal status, and cooperation with regulatory authorities to restore transparency.

Katiji also demanded that ZIMURA’s legal adviser, Witness Zhangazha, be scrutinised amid reports that he has been referred to the Law Society of Zimbabwe for alleged misconduct. 

She warned that the credibility of both ZIMURA and the country’s audit profession was at stake if the concerns raised were ignored.