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.
ALSO READ : Harare Lawyer Loses Appeal in Botched Land Deal With Chinese Investor
Police have arrested the suspected mastermind behind a wave of armed robberies that terrorised Mahatshula suburb for nearly five months, after a video of him trying to break into a house went viral on social media.
Joseph Phiri (28) was taken into custody yesterday following an intensive manhunt.
He is accused of orchestrating nine separate armed robberies between 15 December 2025 and 13 May 2026, seven with one gang, then two more with a fresh syndicate after his first set of accomplices were jailed.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the breakthrough, describing Phiri’s evolving tactics.
“The suspect initially teamed up with Challenge Lucky Neta (38), Trust Adam Mubvumbi (35) and Wellington Nyakurima alias Dombadomba (33) to commit seven cases of robbery by attacking victims with knives, sjamboks, while armed with pistols.”
Those three accomplices were later arrested and are now remanded at Khami Prison. Undeterred, Phiri formed a new gang.
“He teamed up with Pauros Hadebe alias Mengezi, Oscar Ndlovu alias Mao and Jomo Chomu to attack complainants in Mahatshula East,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
The breakthrough came after a dramatic incident in Mahatshula East where a resident’s camera captured Phiri in action.
“In one of the incidents, a video went viral on social media as the suspect who was wearing a maroon and grey bucket hat and grey jacket tried to break into a house.”
Police are now hunting Phiri’s three latest accomplices who are Pauros Hadebe, Oscar Ndlovu or Jomo Chomu
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed the arrest of a 25-year-old man, Blessed Magagoyi, in connection with the illegal manufacturing of medicines at an unlicensed premises in ZIMRE Park, Ruwa.
According to police, the suspect was arrested on May 14, 2026, following investigations into the alleged operation. Detectives reportedly recovered medicine manufacturing equipment, packaging machines, raw materials and various finished medicinal products with an estimated street value of US$25,000.
Some of the recovered products include Honey Bean Medicines, Gut Restore Powdered Medicine, Cynocene Medicines, Fotal Harmony and Cardio Cene Capsules.
Police said investigations are still underway to establish the source of the raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
The ZRP also revealed that another suspect, Tonee Tapiwa Vambe, is being sought in connection with the case. Members of the public with information that may assist in his arrest have been urged to report to their nearest police station.
Police warned the public against buying medicines from unregistered and unlicensed sources, saying such products may pose serious health risks.
Crime and Courts
ZRP Nabs Illegal Medicine Manufacturer in Ruwa, Recovers USD 25,000 Worth of Illicit Products
Ruwa,Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of Blessed Magagoyi, a 25-year-old male, in connection with the illegal manufacturing of medicines at an unlicensed premise situated in ZIMRE Park, Ruwa.
The apprehension, which occurred on May 14, 2026, marks a significant stride in the ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit pharmaceutical operations that pose a severe threat to public health and safety.
The decisive police action led to the recovery of a substantial cache of illegal items. Authorities seized medicine manufacturing equipment, a variety of finished medicinal products, including those branded as Honey Bean Medicines, Gut Restore Powered Medicine, Cynocene Medicines, Fotal Harmony, and Cardio Cene Capsule. Additionally, raw materials essential for medicine production and packaging equipment were confiscated. The estimated street value of the recovered items stands at a considerable USD 25,000.00.
Investigations into this matter are actively in progress, with law enforcement agencies diligently working to ascertain the source of the raw materials used in the illicit manufacturing process.
Furthermore, the ZRP is intensifying its search for a second suspect, Tonee Tapiwa Vambe, who is currently being sought in connection with the case. The public is urged to assist in these efforts; anyone possessing information pertinent to this investigation is encouraged to report it to their nearest Police Station.
This collaborative approach between the ZRP and the community is crucial in safeguarding the well-being of all citizens and upholding the integrity of the nation’s healthcare system.
Public Cautioned Against Illegal Land Deals in Chinhoyi
Zimbabwe Steers WHO Financial Future
Armed Robbery Mastermind Nabbed
Operation restore order
Masasi High School Abuse Scandal Sparks Public Outcry
Kuwadzana Man Jailed for Reckless Driving and Driving Without a Licence
-
Current Affairs6 months agoOperation restore order
-
Crime and Courts8 months agoMasasi High School Abuse Scandal Sparks Public Outcry
-
Crime and Courts8 months agoKuwadzana Man Jailed for Reckless Driving and Driving Without a Licence
-
Current Affairs10 months agoBreaking: ZIMSEC June 2025 Exam Results Now Available Online
-
Current Affairs9 months agoMunhumutapa Day: Zimbabwe’s Newest Public Holiday Set for Annual Observance
-
Current Affairs7 months agoBREAKING NEWS: ZANU PF Director General Ezekiel Zabanyana Fired
-
Business6 months agoTino Tungwarara Launches Prevail Mart, Becoming One of Zimbabwe’s Youngest Retail Entrepreneurs
-
Current Affairs9 months agoNo Racism in Our Cricket: Government