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SAMRO forensic report uncovers millions stolen from music makers

GENERAL NEWS
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Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) forensic report revealed millions in stolen royalties. (Photo credits: SAMRO Facebook page)

22 January 2025- A forensic investigation conducted by Fundudzi Forensic Services has revealed corruption within the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), uncovering millions in stolen royalties. The probe discovered that during the 2021/2022 financial year , R3,4 million in payouts were made without proof of ownership, implicating former employees who allegedly successfully colluded with publishers to submit fraudulent claims.

In a press release statement written on behalf of Music Makers United, it is said that details from SAMRO board meeting minutes suggested that the theft could total R34, 4 million, as R30 million was paid from claims totaling R60 million made by the top sixty publishers, authors, and composers.

This is reportedly not SAMRO’s first scandal. In 2015, the organisation lost R50 million in a failed Middle East investment under then CEO, Sipho Dlamini. No one was held accountable despite forensic evidence .

Concerns are also surfacing regarding SAMRO’s handling of “undocumented works” royalties.

An amount of more than R87 million is listed in those statements as “undistributed royalties written back”. This is a pool of funds , known in industry parlance as “undocumented works”(undoc) , from which member publishers were able to steal monies from rights holders, in cahoots with Samro employees at the time

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Press release statement written on behalf of Music Makers United (MMU). (Photo credits: NewsliveSA and VM Radio)

Music Makers United (MMU) , a group advocating for industry reform, is demanding access to the full forensic report and a clear outline of action taken against those involved. Despite several requests through the Protection of Access to Information Act, SAMRO has yet to release the document.

MMU called for justice and transparency, urging SAMRO to identify culprits and hold accountable those responsible.

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