Local recording company Diamond Studios has sacked the entire senior management. The artists and repertoire manager Phathisani Sibanda and two other senior managers have been shown the door.
Owner of the embattled recording company Steady Munyanyi flew from his United Kingdom base to show Sibanda and other members of management the exit for allegedly “turning their backs on him”.
Sources close to developments at the studio said only junior staff at the recording plant in Ashdown Park have been spared.
Munyanyi fired the company’s general manager, Ottnah Karombe, video producer Isaiah Mwale and Sibanda for not protecting his interests. he is accusing them of leaking vital company information to the Press and inciting artists to desert the company.
Sibanda confirmed that they had been fired but were still to be served with official dismissal letters.
“It is true that I have been fired and am currently looking for a new home. we were shown the exit together with Isaiah and Karombe in a boardroom meeting but we are still to receive the notification in writing,” he said.
The three were fired during an emergency board meeting that was called by Munyanyi soon after his arrival from his United Kingdom base. The meeting was scheduled after this newspaper published a story highlighting that things were falling apart at the once promising studio. The studio has for a very long period, been struggling to pay artists royalties as well as employee salaries.
After verbally firing his management team, Munyanyi is said to have quickly indicated to them that he did not have money to pay for their exit package. he then offered to give them an exit package of three months salary and a holiday treat, an offer that the trio turned down.
After the exit packages were rejected, Munyanyi was said to be consulting his lawyers on the way forward but was reportedly informed that he was in breach of contract.
Part of the contract that Munyanyi is in breach of states that: “Both parties may terminate this contract (employment) upon notice of three months effective at the end of the relevant calendar quarter”. The contract also states that termination must be done in writing by either party.
The dismissed employees have since approached the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) seeking recourse after negotiations with Munyanyi hit a brick wall.
Said a ZFTU official: “We have received communication from some disgruntled former Diamond Studios employees with regard to that issue and we are going to make sure that it is addressed amicably.”
The team that Munyanyi is firing is the one that developed the local studio and was also managing the Botswana and South African branches. it is the one that has kept the company afloat as Munyanyi is based in the United Kingdom.
Munyanyi’s decision to expedite the firing of the top management is said to have been further ignited by the recent developments at the stable that have seen more than 10 artists handing in their contract termination notices.
A good number of artistes that include gospel diva Joyce Simeti, Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu and comedian Tawanda Kahembe have been complaining that they are not getting their royalties despite their copies realising good sales. Sungura musician first Farai’s project was also delayed owing to the company’s financial constraints.
Diamond Studio has tried to compete with established recording companies in the country but it appears the once promising studio’s ship is sinking fast.
The company opened its doors about three years ago with so much hype and attracted the attention of the music industry’s notable names.
However, the company’s balance sheet has remained in the red forcing the owner to partially disengage from the project.
Since the beginning of the crisis early this year, the company has lost three senior employees through resignation and the departure of Sibanda, Karombe and Mwale raises the figure to six with the figure expected to further rise as the secretary at the studio is also reported to have tendered her resignation.
Munyanyi’s nephew, John Muroyi, is presently running the business single-handedly after the dismissal of the senior managers.
Diamond Studios (Botswana) is also reported to be struggling to retain artistes while the recently opened Diamond Studios (South Africa) has also failed to attract meaningful business in that country. SUNDAY MAIL
Tags: emergency board, ashdown park, desert, board meeting, dismissal letters
