New twist to Somanje saga

By Tawanda Marwizi

The fight for late musician Daiton Somanje’s estate has taken a new twist following revelations that his family cannot collect royalties from local recording company Diamond Studios because the musician had no contract with the stable.

Daiton recorded his last album “Makumborenga” with Diamond Studios, but it has emerged that he was unable to sign a contract because he still had unresolved issues with his previous stable, Last Power Media, which is now defunct.

Diamond Studios cannot give any of the family members the royalties in the absence of a contract that states the beneficiary of the dues in the “Tsaona” hitmaker’s absence.

An official from Diamond Studios said Daiton’s son, Faheem, has a contract with the stable and they had worked together on “Makumborenga” before the son decided to pull his songs off the album.

“His son Faheem is the one who has a contract with the stable and his father was only a witness,” said the official.

Daiton had a contract with the now defunct Last Power Media co-owned by Alick Macheso and Laston Murerwa.

When the studio closed its doors, a number of artistes including Daiton struggled to terminate their contracts and by the time of his death he had not signed with any stable.

The Herald Entertainment is reliably informed that Diamond Studios will soon take the matter to the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association.

John Muroyi, Diamond Studios’ artistes manager, confirmed the issue but could not give enough details.

“Daiton had no contract with Diamond Studios, so there is no one who can come collect his royalties. We agreed to have his album recorded because it was under Faheem’s name,” he said.

Muroyi said the problem started after Faheem refused to have his songs on the album. He said they will give their official position after taking the issue to Zimura.

Faheem professed ignorance over the matter saying he would come back to this publication after clarifications.

“These are family issues and it will be good for me to make consultations first and I will come back to you,” he said.

The family has been embroiled in a dispute concerning royalties since the musician’s death and the matter spilled to the courts last month. The Herald