Artists protest SAMRO conference amid royalty fraud claims - ‘They are corrupt’
- A faction of dissatisfied Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) members disrupted a press briefing
- Among the protesters were notable figures such as businessman Owen Ndlovu and singer Mercy Pakela, who accused SAMRO of disseminating false information
- The CEO confirmed to reporters that the organisation is not experiencing a crisis and is addressing concerns raised by the members
This week, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) conducted a press briefing aimed at clarifying various rumors circulating in the media.
However, the event was cut short as some SAMRO members stormed in, accusing the organisation of spreading inaccuracies. The turmoil surrounding the organization has been ongoing, with some members previously facing fraud allegations.
Disruption at SAMRO briefing
The briefing took place at the Garden Court Hotel in Milpark on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, where several members managed to bypass security and enter the conference.
As reported by TshisaLIVE, the members expressed concerns about being excluded from the discussions. This group featured prominent individuals, including Owen Ndlovu, singer Mercy Pakela, Tshepo Mashiane, Mfanafuthi Nico Dumakude, and Tebogo Sithathu.
In a YouTube clip shared by the news outlet, an upset Owen Ndlovu questioned why some members were absent if the purpose of the meeting was to address their issues.
“It’s all about us. We are shareholders here. We are not invited to the meeting. Some board members are not here. The chairperson cannot run the show on his own. We cannot allow this press conference to go on without us. They are lying to you. They are saying 82% voted,” he remarked.
Source: Youtube
In response, SAMRO’s CEO, Anabell Lebethe, reassured reporters that the organisation was managing the situation and that it was not on the verge of collapse.
She noted that the members arrived before the briefing commenced and that their concerns would be addressed afterward. Lebethe clarified that the aim of the gathering was to “correct the narrative” rather than merely address specific grievances. Additionally, she asserted that the organisation’s operations are sound.
“The organisation is not imploding. We are still licensing music users, we’re still distributing money. That is our core business. We’re still managing the copyright assigned to us, and we’ll continue to do that. We are working in the best interest of our members. It’s our responsibility and obligation.”
In response to the ongoing situation, a YouTuber under the handle @khayandlovu7892 suggested that SAMRO review its operational practices to adapt to current needs.
“SAMRO needs to adjust its institutional operations to meet today’s demands. They need to decentralise their system and ensure real-time tracking and distribution of funds, the same way some distribution platforms like SOLDistro operate.”
Watch the video here.
