Crime and Courts
High Court Rules Against Simbisa in Music Rights Battle
The High Court has ruled that Simbisa Brands Zimbabwe — operators of Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and several other fast-food outlets — breached copyright law by playing music without a valid licence from the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA). However, the company was spared from paying nearly US$87,000 in damages after the court found the amount claimed was unjustified.
Justice Jacob Mafusire handed down the decision on September 10, 2025, in a case that highlighted rivalry between two collecting societies, ZIMURA and the Zimbabwe Council of Copyright Owners (Zimcoco), while clarifying the reach of Zimbabwe’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act.
“The first defendant infringed the copyright in the musical works played at its outlets,” Justice Mafusire said, adding that ZIMURA held exclusive rights to license that material.
ZIMURA had taken Simbisa to court seeking royalties for the period between November 2023 and October 2024, arguing that the company had used songs from its members — including top local acts like Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Nutty O, Winky D, and the late Oliver Mtukudzi — without paying. Through its global agreement with CISAC, ZIMURA also claimed foreign artists were affected.
The association demanded US$86,719, the equivalent of Simbisa’s annual licence fees, and sought a court order declaring that Zimcoco had no authority to license its members’ works.
In defence, Simbisa said it had already paid royalties to Zimcoco, which was registered in 2019, and believed this was sufficient based on guidance it had received from the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Justice. Zimcoco, meanwhile, argued that it was legally entitled to license music users such as Simbisa.
Justice Mafusire dismissed Zimcoco’s position, stating that registration as a collecting society does not automatically grant it authority over works it does not control.
“The matter is not about being registered as a collecting society. It is about who actually owns the rights to the music,” he wrote. “The second defendant cannot authorise anyone to play music that is protected by another’s copyright.”
The judge, however, rejected ZIMURA’s damages claim, ruling that the calculation was flawed. He noted that the organisation had equated the damages to its annual licence fees without proving actual loss suffered by musicians.
“The plaintiff’s computation of its claim is ill-conceived,” Justice Mafusire said. “Songs by different artists cannot all carry the same value, and the amount claimed bears no relation to the alleged prejudice.”
Ultimately, the court held that Simbisa had infringed copyright but was not liable for the US$87,000 sought by ZIMURA. Instead, Zimcoco was ordered to pay ZIMURA’s legal costs, while Simbisa and ZIMURA were directed to cover their own expenses.
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Crime and Courts
Seven Armed Robbers Nabbed
Itai Mazire
Police has confirmed the arrest of seven suspects linked to a series of armed robberies in Nyabira, following a dramatic early morning incident that saw community members pursue and apprehend one of the alleged criminals.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said confirmed the arrest of seven suspects, Malvin Mohammed Maisiri (32), Leonard Mahwindo (26), Tension Mahwindo (26), Heavens Chimupenga (17), Moffat Mango (50), Kudakwashe Munemo (29) and Goodwill Muchimba (39), in connection with a series of armed robbery cases which occurred in Nyabira.
The arrests stem from an armed robbery on 5 May 2026 at around 0300 hours at a house in Nyabira.
According to police, the suspects allegedly attacked the complainant while demanding cash and valuables before ransacking the house.
Commissioner Nyathi said the complainant alerted police who swiftly mobilised and proceeded to the scene where they found the suspect still inside the house.
Upon noticing approaching residents, the suspects attempted to flee.
However, members of the public pursued and apprehended one suspect, Mohammed Hamandishe. A Retay pistol, nine live rounds, four blank rounds and two pistol magazines were subsequently recovered from him.
The detained suspect implicated his accomplices, leading to their subsequent arrest in Nyabira and Chitungwiza.
Police recovered a Tokarev pistol, a magazine and one live round of ammunition, a bolt cutter and a bicycle, among other items.
The seven suspects are currently clearing three other armed robbery cases that occurred on 26 April 2026 in Nyabira, where cash and household goods were stolen.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends the Nyabira community for their swift and courageous response, which led to the arrest of one of the suspects,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
Police are continuing their investigation.
“The ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of outstanding suspects only identified as ‘Good’ and ‘Nyasha’. Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest police station.”
Crime and Courts
Arrest Warrants Issued in Dr Pswarayi Estate Misappropriation Case
A Harare magistrate has issued warrants of arrest for Tinashe Pswarayi and Tauya Masunda after the pair failed to appear in court for judgment in a case involving alleged abuse of estate funds amounting to more than US$52 000.
Presiding magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai ordered the arrest of the two accused, who are facing allegations of unlawfully diverting rental income generated from properties belonging to the estate of the late liberation war veteran and medical doctor, Edward Munatsireyi Pswarayi.
During the trial, estate executor and senior lawyer Caleb Mucheche, together with the late doctor’s UK-based daughter Chenayimoyo Pswarayi, gave evidence detailing how rental proceeds from the estate were allegedly siphoned between June and November 2014, before an executor had officially been appointed.
According to court testimony, Masunda and Tinashe allegedly set up two fraudulent trusts which prosecutors say were used to channel and conceal rental income collected from estate properties. The State argues that the accused unlawfully retained more than US$52 000 in violation of Section 42 of the Administration of Estates Act [Chapter 6:01].
The matter was brought before the courts by Takunda Pswarayi, who lives in the United Kingdom and is one of the beneficiaries of the estate.
Court proceedings revealed that Tinashe Pswarayi, who is unemployed, served as a trustee of the estate, while Masunda is the director of City Accounting and Secretarial Services and also acted as trustee for the Tondori 1 and Tondori 2 trusts linked to the deceased’s assets.
Prosecutor Polite Chikiwa told the court that Dr Pswarayi had transferred several properties into two trusts in 2009.
The first trust, Tondori 1, reportedly included Munatsireyi Service Station and a commercial property located in Machipisa, Harare. Tondori 2 allegedly held residential stands in Borrowdale Brooke and Kambuzuma, a supermarket in Kambuzuma, as well as a 51 percent stake in Tondori Farm (Pvt) Ltd in Beatrice.
Following Dr Pswarayi’s death on June 8, 2014, the properties remained under the control of the two trusts, with the accused continuing as trustees.
The State alleges that shortly after the death, the pair began collecting rental payments from tenants occupying the estate properties. Prosecutors say they collected US$9 835 in June 2014 alone but failed to hand the money over to the executor or notify the Master of the High Court as required by law.
The court further heard that between August and November 2014, the accused allegedly received an additional US$42 400 in rental income which was neither distributed to beneficiaries nor declared to the executor or the Master of the High Court.
Takunda Pswarayi, who was entitled to a 10 percent share of the estate income, allegedly received nothing during that period.
The alleged irregularities only came to light in December 2014 after Advocate Mucheche was appointed executor dative by the Master of the High Court.
The prosecution maintains that the two accused breached legal procedures governing deceased estates by failing to surrender assets and rental proceeds to the appointed executor.
Authorities say a total of US$52 235 was allegedly misappropriated, and no recoveries have been made so far.
Crime and Courts
Four Arrested Over String of House Break-Ins in Masvingo
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of four suspects linked to a series of unlawful entry and theft cases in and around Masvingo.
The suspects Peace Mandizvidza (32), Edward Sibanda (27), Tapiwa Tagwirei (27), and Kumbulani Sibanda (25) are accused of carrying out multiple break-ins between December 2025 and April 2026.
According to police, the group has been connected to at least 10 cases of unlawful entry and theft. The suspects allegedly targeted homes when owners were away, breaking in and stealing various household items.

Stolen goods include electrical appliances such as television sets and refrigerators, as well as blankets and other valuables. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at US$14,330.
Police investigations have led to the recovery of items worth US$10,305 so far. Recovered property includes two television sets, a deep freezer, blankets, and other household goods.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon, while police continue with investigations.
Authorities have also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities.
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