Widow vs. Record Label: The Unsettling Showdown over Robbie Malinga's Legacy

 

Robbie Malinga, who passed away on December 25, 2017, played a key role in creating Zahara's successful albums, including her debut Loliwe, Phendula, and Country Girl. Ann, expressing her frustration, accuses Universal Music of being involved in a scam. She questions how Universal signed the Loliwe catalogue without checking the existing agreement involving three parties: TS Records, Robbie, and Universal. Instead of taking responsibility, Ann claims that Universal is blaming TS Records.

Ann faces difficulties getting answers from Thembinkosi "TK" Nciza, the former owner of TS Records and Gauteng ANC provincial secretary. Allegedly, Nciza is upset about Ann communicating with Universal Music to inquire about unpaid royalties. Nciza dismisses Ann, while Universal Music responds to her.

Realizing Nciza is crucial for answers, Ann writes to him about the royalties. In response, Nciza agrees to talk but doesn't provide immediate information. Nciza's lawyer, Dumisani Motsamai, sends Ann a breakdown of Robbie's royalty payments, explaining that a previous advance of R80,000 from TS Records in November/December 2021 was not recouped yet. Future royalty payments will continue to offset this advance until fully repaid.

Ann accuses Nciza of mishandling money from Robbie's soundtrack for Orlando Pirates. She questions a mysterious company, MMT, registered under the album, and demands information about the Orlando Pirates project and the R2 million loan/advance to Universal.

Motsamai dismisses Ann's claims, emphasizing that the R80,000 advance must be recouped before further royalty payments. He denies wrongdoing, stating that Robbie was paid all royalties until his passing, and there were no complaints during that time. However, Motsamai fails to provide proof of the contract between TS Records and Robbie.