HARARE – The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has declared there was no copyright infringement on one of John Chibandura’s classic songs which the late sungura music legend’s surviving family had claimed was illegally used as the 2022 FIFA World Cup soundtrack by SuperSport TV.
Chibandura’s family had sought legal advice from ZIMURA earlier this month, believing that a song played on the popular sports channel, one of the official broadcasters of the World Cup in Qatar, had infringed on the hit classic “Mudiwa Janet” without its consent and knowledge. The song is from the album Reggae Hits, released in 1989.
However, in a December 14 statement, ZIMURA stated that it found no copyright infringement on Chibadura’s song.
“Following claims by the late John Chibadura’s family on media platforms that their late father’s song ‘Mudiwa Janet’ was performed at the FIFA World Cup 2022, ZIMURA met with Isabel Nyamukokoko (heir to the late John Chibadura’s Copyright Estate) on 07 December 2022 to look at the matter in depth.
“A thorough research and analysis of the song under comparison was done by ZIMURA. The research and analysis of both songs has clearly shown that the 2022 FIFA World Cup song did not originate from the late John Chibadura but rather the song titled ‘Hayya Hayya’ performed by a number of international artists.
“ZIMURA’s findings and conclusion were successfully relayed to Isabel Nyamukokoko who fully understood and accepted the outcome. ZIMURA strongly encourages its members to contact the office of clarification on any queries/or any lesson before approaching the press,” read the statement.
ZIMURA’s research analysis included code sequence, code progression, melodies, and arrangements.
Pastor Charles Charamba, Clive Mono Mukundu, and Capetown-based Dr Dread were among the members of ZIMURA’s research panel who contributed to these findings.
