SAMRO Drama: Suspended Publishers Back! What Happened?!
SAMRO Reinstates Suspended Publishers After Member Vote
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has announced the reinstatement of three publishers previously suspended following allegations detailed in the Fundudzi Forensic Report regarding fraudulent activities. The decision to reinstate these publishers came after a majority vote by SAMRO members, overturning a previous decision made at a general meeting in July.
According to SAMRO, the core issues revolve around ongoing disputes concerning the distribution of royalties to composers, authors, and publishers. The organisation held a press conference to clarify facts and address misinformation surrounding SAMRO's governance matters.
CEO Annabelle Lebethe emphasized that due process was followed in the reinstatement of the three members. She clarified that there is no ongoing investigation against the publishers. The initial removal stemmed from discussions at the July 10th meeting, where the publishers were implicated. However, Lebethe highlighted that directors on the SAMRO board are voted in by members, but they serve as individuals. The correction of their removal occurred on August 29th.
"So, there is no investigation against the three publishers, right? So maybe what had happened on the 10th of July was what was vocalised that that meeting led to the removal that these publishers were implicated," Lebethe stated. "But I also want to clarify that when you’re appointed as a director to the SAMRO board, you are voted by members because of the either your composer or a member publisher, but you sit on the board as an individual. And so, what I transpired on the 10th of July, their removal, was what was corrected on the 29th of August. But there is no subsequent investigation."
The reinstatement marks a significant development in SAMRO's efforts to address internal disputes and ensure fair distribution of royalties within the South African music industry.