Legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo’s Chimurenga Music Company has issued a stern, final cease-and-desist notice declaring that singer Kurai Makore is not the heir to the Chimurenga music throne, while demanding an immediate halt to all unauthorized performances, recordings, and commercial exploitation of Mapfumo's catalog.
The statement aims to dismantle media reports framing Makore who is Mapfumo’s nephew as the designated successor to the genre's creator.
"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," the company stated. "Thomas Mapfumo has never designated any heir or successor to his musical legacy – by blood, by decree, or by any other means."
The organization clarified that prior opportunities given to Makore to curtain-raise for Mapfumo were misconstrued by commentators.
"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," the notice reads. "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."
Chimurenga Music Company stressed that Makore has never received copyright authorization to perform or record Mapfumo's works, despite direct warnings from Mukanya himself urging his nephew to build his own artistic identity.
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"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," the official statement reads.
The notice highlighted recent live streams and events facilitated by several prominent entities including Chipaz Promotions, Primus Energy Corporation, Naison Marufu, and Mr. Pacival Percy Mukuchura of Tropical Sound & Music Distributors as actionable breaches of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act [Chapter 26:05] of Zimbabwe.
Event organizers, venue owners, and social media networks have been put on legal notice to verify copyright clearances with the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) and immediately take down infringing content, warning of fines starting at US$100 per violation along with potential criminal liability.
Active legal proceedings are underway through Mapfumo’s legal counsel, Warara and Associates Legal Practitioners, alongside representative Cuthbert Simbarashe Chiromo.
Chimurenga Music Company also called upon the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to intervene through mandatory industry workshops regarding copyright law.
"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 company concluded. "No one is above the law not family, not promoters, not media, not platforms."
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