News / Nationalby Staff reporterChimurenga music legend Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo has threatened legal action against his nephew, Kurai Makore, accusing him of performing and commercially exploiting his music without authorisation.In a strongly worded cease-and-desist notice dated August 8, 2026, Mapfumo's Chimurenga Music Company said Makore had never been granted permission to perform, record, stream or otherwise commercially exploit works from the veteran musician's catalogue.The company said Mapfumo had personally encouraged his nephew to establish his own musical identity, but alleged that Makore continued performing songs from his uncle's repertoire despite being warned against doing so. "His persistence in performing his uncle's copyrighted material without a licence is not a family dispute; it is a blatant and willful legal violation that can no longer be tolerated," the company said.Mapfumo rejects 'heir' narrativeThe company also rejected media reports portraying Makore as the heir to Mapfumo's Chimurenga legacy.According to the statement, Mapfumo has never appointed Makore — or any other individual — as his successor.The company said the claims arose after Makore was invited to perform as an opening act at a limited number of Mapfumo shows, with some reports subsequently interpreting the appearances as the veteran musician "passing the torch" to his nephew. "This is a complete falsehood," the company said. "Thomas Mapfumo has never designated any heir or successor to his musical legacy – by blood, by decree, or by any other means. "These actions are not about personal disputes – they are about defending the rule of law, protecting intellectual property, and preserving the dignity of creative labour," the company said.The company said all future legal and licensing correspondence should be directed to Warara and Associates Legal Practitioners and Mapfumo's long-time manager, Cuthbert Simbarashe Chiromo.