Samro hauled to court over R60m 'heist'

Board members allegedly stole funds

- Bongani Mdakane

The South African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), which administers the rights of musicians, publishers and composers among others, has been hauled to court over allegations that it plundered more than R60-million meant for its artists.

A service provider, Away From Here Trading and Projects, trading as One Rights Management (ORM), owned by the former soccer commentator and businessman Owen Ndlovu, filed documents at the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court, stating that Samro board members had stolen funds and paid them into the accounts of publishers, top record labels and board members.

In his affidavit, which he filed on Tuesday, Ndlovu said that he is one of the 25000 members of Samro, and also stated that he is one of the whistleblowers of the alleged heist.

"I am one of the directors of ORM, the company contracted to Samro to deliver on-air data music reports so that marginalised artists can receive their royalties," reads Ndlovu's affidavit.