SAMRO takes this opportunity to outline its position regarding the developments that took place during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on 10 July 2025. This communication seeks to provide clarity and reaffirm our commitment to transparency.

1. SAMRO remains committed to lawful, transparent governance that reflects the will of its members, safeguards the reputation of music creators and is ultimately in the best interests of the organisation’s established objectives/purpose. This statement addresses the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on 10 July 2025; the steps SAMRO is taking to regularise that outcome; the reconvening of the postponed EGM and scheduling of a new EGM; and the rife speculation arising from allegations relating to and emanating from the suspended Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SAMRO.

2. At the EGM on 10 July 2025, three non-executive board members were removed. It is clear that the decision was taken in a manner inconsistent with procedural requirements. The resolution is thus susceptible to challenge and should be corrected through a proper, member-led process.

3. The SAMRO board has fiduciary duties to act in good faith, for a proper purpose, and in the best interests of SAMRO. SAMRO is acting promptly and decisively to give members a clean and undisputed vote while allowing fairness to the removed board members. The correct approach is to ask members to rescind and set aside the 10 July 2025 removal resolution and, if members so choose, to vote afresh on properly tabled removal resolutions. This balances due process with member choice. It honours the desire of members to have their will implemented through a valid process while ensuring fairness to the removed board members. It enables finality and prevents dispute enabling stability and progression.

4. To conclude outstanding business and to regularise the 10 July 2025 removal outcome, SAMRO will hold both the postponed EGM and a new EGM on Friday, 29 August 2025.

5. Statements made by the suspended COO at the EGM of 10 July 2025 are noted. They are not SAMRO’s statements or consistent with any findings to date. The chairperson indicated during the 10 July 2025 EGM proceedings that these were allegations to be addressed through SAMRO’s formal processes to determine the veracity thereof and SAMRO remains committed to the process. The COO has since been precautionarily suspended and SAMRO has publicly communicated that it will not ventilate such issues or engage on the speculation in the public domain while internal and external processes run their cause.

6. SAMRO distances itself from, and does not endorse, any assertions made by the COO at the EGM or elsewhere. The referred to statements remain untested allegations and are not SAMRO’s official position.

7. There remains widespread speculation surrounding matters SAMRO cannot presently engage on. Members and stakeholders are again urged to respect the ongoing processes so that it can be brought to finality. All matters concerning the suspended COO are sub judice, and, out of respect for legal and disciplinary processes, SAMRO cannot delve into the merits of the allegations at this stage. For clarity, SAMRO categorically denies the formal grievances raised by the suspended COO. They are vague, lack causal linkage, are unsubstantiated and unsustainable. SAMRO will nevertheless comprehensively address all such issues and take the members into its confidence once the formal processes are complete. We urge caution and patience in this regard.

8. The suspended COO is not a whistleblower in the undocumented claims matter in which SAMRO has a forensic report. The true whistleblowers are expressly referenced in the forensic report. The SAMRO board commissioned the forensic investigation and report, appointed the service provider to investigate and report, appointed the suspended COO to handle the matter on behalf of SAMRO and ensured that the issue was promptly reported to members. The forensic report has been provided to law enforcement and SAMRO is cooperating and actively pursuing criminal investigation while simultaneously implementing the report recommendations. The report does not contain fault findings against parties named by the suspended COO. SAMRO has and continues to prioritise the safety of the true whistleblowers and SAMRO employees.

9. SAMRO’s focus is on closing this chapter the right way. A compliant process, a clean member mandate and a stable governance platform for the important work that lies ahead. By completing the postponed EGM and the new EGM on 29 August 2025, members can deliver a decisive outcome and mandate.

10. SAMRO calls on our valued members to attend the postponed EGM and the new EGM on 29 August 2025. Register, participate and exercise your vote. Together we can regularise the 10 July 2025 outcome should this remain the will of the members, and we can move forward with unity and purpose. SAMRO remains committed to reaching unprecedented value for the benefit of the members it serves.

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