Music boss Arthur Mafokate has until Thursday to explain what happened to Kwaito legend Ishmael Morabe’s royalty payments or face the music.
This after allegations that Ismael was only paid R60,000 for his hit songs Roba Letheka, Akuna Mathata, and S’manje Manje.
Ishmael has slapped his former boss and the 999 music label owner with a letter of demand. He is requesting him to send him documents detailing where his royalties are.
Lawyers’ letter sent on June 21
The letter, which Sunday World has seen, was sent to Mafokate through Ishmael’s lawyers Maphike Attorneys Inc, on June 21.
Ishmael gave Mafokate until Thursday to explain and reveal documents. These pertain to information about how much he was paid by royalty collection bodies. This is for his hit music which was released from 2001.
The singer’s lawyers start by referring to an earlier letter. In it they asked Mafokate to give them documents pertaining to royalty statements. These are for all revenue, sales/expenditure from 2001 to date.
They also want proof of Mafokate’s claim that EMI was collecting and paying royalties on behalf of and to Ishmael. They also request written instruction from their client consenting to this.
Wants proof of all royalty payments made to Ishmael
The lawyers also asked for proof of all royalty payments to Ishmael.
In the letter they also inform Mafokate that they have engaged EMI, which is now Sony Music South Africa.
They add that the company denied paying Ishmael any royalties, saying that was the role of 999 Music or Mafokate.
“In light of the above, we have been instructed to make an application. This… in terms of section 53(1) of the promotion of access to information Act 2000, for access to information,” the lawyers said.
Mafokate given 30 days to comply
They gave Mafokate 30 days to comply with their request for the documents. Failure of which, they would assume that he has refused.
They have also requested that he grants Sony Music the go-ahead to reveal the information to Ishmael.
“As such, please note that if you fail to comply with our client’s request herein, our client shall have no option but to lodge a complaint to the information regulator and/or make an application to a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce his rights,” they wrote.
Ishmael and Mafokate had not yet replied to request for comments by the time of publishing.
