By Rorisang Modiba
- A report found R24-million in undocumented works royalties wrongly paid out, with Sheer Publishing claiming R3.4-million for the Sebeelo brothers.
- Southern African Music Rights Organisation members accuse leadership of hiding corruption after the report was kept from them while only top board members and executives saw it.
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) has shut down its royalties portal after a report showed R24-million was wrongly paid out.
The payments were for “undocumented works” – royalties collected but not linked to verified copyright owners. Some of the money was claimed by publishers and composers, including board members.
One example is Sheer Publishing, which investigators say claimed R3.4-million for Allan and Glenn Sebeelo through their companies Hash One Committee Entertainment, Sotho Mafia and Glenn Publishing.
The report by Fundudzi Forensic Services also points to a Samro employee who may have worked with Sheer Publishing to push through the claims.
Samro’s board was told about the matter in November 2022 and ordered a full probe. The report was completed in July 2023, but only a few board members and executives, including CEO Annabell Lebethe, saw it.
Ordinary members say the leadership kept the findings secret to cover up corruption.
Former board member and employee Mandrew Mnguni later resigned and is also under investigation.
Pictured above: Samro.
Image source: Samro Facebook
