A case of perjury has been opened against South African Music Awards (Sama) boss Nhlanhla Sibisi for allegedly failing to disclose vital information regarding royalty payments.
This after Risa Audio Visual (RAV), a licensing body set up by RiSA (Recording Industry of South Africa), which produces the country’s biggest music awards show with Sibisi at the helm, failed to produce information regarding monies paid to Gallo Music on behalf of Bula Music prior to 2014.
Bula Music, which was founded by Harvey Roberts, Peter Tladi and Clive Hardwick in 1998 produced music for artists such as Boom Shaka, Ihashi Elimhlophe, Freddy Gwala, Sfiso Ncwane and Lundi Tyamara.
After the record label’s catalogue was sold to Gallo Music in 2014, Hardwick, on behalf of Bula Music, dragged RAV along with other royalty collection bodies to the information regulator to discuss industry-related royalty payment issues.
RAV declined the opportunity to present its data at the regulator’s hearings in 2022, which led to the regulator recommending in its findings that RAV hand over the data to Bula Music, which did not happen.
The perjury case, which is one of many legal cases in the fight for information between Sibisi and Bula Music, was opened by Hardwick at the Linden police station three weeks ago.
On Tuesday, police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that the case was opened, adding that investigations are under way. Masondo said more charges could be added.
“A case of perjury has been opened at Linden police station. More charges might be added pending the investigation. No arrests have been made so far,” said Masondo.
Sunday World has seen an e-mail interaction between Hardwick, the investigating officers, Sibisi’s lawyer Leslie Sedibe, RAV’s financial director Nishal Lalla, and Gallo’s general manager Robert Cowling, where Hardwick states that Sibisi lied to the regulator under oath by stating that RAV did not pay Gallo any royalty payments on behalf of Bula Music.
“These are the very royalties that advocate Sibisi denied the existence of in his affidavit to the information regulator dated 10th May 2022,” reads the e-mail in part.
He added: “I submit that this additional evidence provides sufficient proof that advocate Sibisi made false statement under oath to the information regulator and that this statement was intended to conceal information that was subject of the regulator’s investigation. Kindly bring evidence to the attention of the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority].”
Meanwhile, Sibisi and Hardwick are also due to face off at the high court in 2025 for a case of defamation of character. This after Sibisi accused Hardwick of making damming allegations against him at the regulator.
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