Artists United (AU) lambasted the CEO of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), Annabell Lebethe, in a press conference held at Niki’s in Newtown on Thursday.
In the media briefing, Samro members who are also part of AU came out guns blazing. They called for the removal of Lebethe, as they claimed that she was destroying the music rights collecting society.
Owen Ndlovu, whose company, One Rights Management, had once had a contract with Samro to track music airplay on various platforms, labelled Lebethe a “criminal and mafia”.
Ndlovu said that it was surprising why Lebethe was hellbent on staying at Samro, as he claimed that she had destroyed the organisation.
Accused of destroying entity
“Annabell is a criminal and a mafia member whose sole intention is to destroy Samro. We had been fighting to get Samro back on track. But Annabell and her people are blocking every effort we are making because she is untouchable.
“As of now, I have just been sent a court document that tells me that I should appear in court on 13 November. This is a tactic by Samro and Annabell to stop me from being part of the planned march, which will take place on the same day. We would be demanding her removal and also for Samro to release the forensic report by Fundudzi Forensic Investigators to Samro members,” said Ndlovu.
Trompies member and politician Eugene Mthethwa said that AU has brought artists together to fight for their rights at Samro and other organisations that represent the interests of the entertainers.
Planned protest
“We are going to embark on the protest. And the EFF will also be part of the march to support the artists whose plight is very bad. We need to make it clear that the artists had suffered long enough while their royalty money enriched Samro executives and board members.
“We demand good governance, accountability and transparency, and fair representation at the AGM in December. Including on how the memorandum of incorporation is being used to suppress us.
“Top earners at Samro are white people, whose music is placed in adverts. But those with popular songs whose music is played bigtime, we only get crumbs. EFF had issued many statements regarding the plight of the artists, and now we are acting and picket. We are saying that fraudsters should be dealt with through the law,” said Mthethwa.
Veteran bubblegum star Mercy Phakela of Ayashisa Amateki hit song said Samro board members and the executive were not representing Samro ordinary members. But she stated that they were lining their pockets with the funds of the artists.
“We have been neglected as artists. And it is sad to always see artists dying as paupers and struggling. We are not poor, but we are impoverished by the system. Samro executives and board members have taken us for granted. And we need to make it clear that our royalties are our business. We should be taken seriously as artists,” said Phakela.
Return of implicated executives
Creative Congress Movement founder and AU member Tshepo Mashiane questioned the return of implicated executives. He said that it was really disturbing that Samro had brought back board members who are implicated in corruption. This after they were outed in the Fundudzi report through the back door.
“We need accountability and transparency. But as things stand, people are being protected at Samro. This is despite being fingered in the Fundudzi report,” said Mashiane.
When called to comment, Lebethe said that she was not aware of the press conference held by AU. She requested to be sent an email in order for her to respond.
Sunday World reached out to Lebethe. However, she had not responded by the time of publishing. Her response will be included in the story once she has responded.
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