The people’s poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli, has called for the dissolution of the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) board following reports of financial mismanagement.
Reports suggest that artists are not receiving their royalties and that some board members are misusing the funds for personal gain.
Mbuli says there is serious abuse of power within the organisation, citing the dismissal of its CEO, who was allegedly a whistleblower.
“A person within SAMRO, a whole CEO, became a whistleblower. There is R16 million that has been stolen at SAMRO, and there was a forensic that had to be instituted, and the results are very clear.
“Three members of the SAMRO board, out of a number of them, were implicated and tainted. But these people are maintained and protected by other board members because they all eat together. So I think if you want to clear your name, rather than say ‘let me stand aside so that I am cleared. Allow investigation to take its course, but at SAMRO, we have bullies,” he adds.
[ON AIR] Some music composers and producers are calling on the Southern African Music Rights Organisation’s (SAMRO) Board to step down, following revelations of financial mismanagement. Mzwakhe Mbuli speaks to @AshrafGarda on #TheNationalPulse @SABCNews @SABCNews_Radio pic.twitter.com/gxlf7WJt8W
— SAfmRadio
(@SAfmRadio) August 29, 2025
