SAMRO CEO Annabell Lebethe fired in boardroom showdown
SAMRO CEO Annabell Lebethe was verbally dismissed on 4 February 2026 after she allegedly admitted during a board meeting that she had used the organisation’s credit card. Board member Dr. Dan Nkosi raised the motion to remove her, citing findings from the Fundudzi forensic report. However, Lebethe is now challenging her decision.
SAMRO CEO, Annabell Lebethe was dismissed on February 4. She is allegedly challenging her dismissal.(Image:SAMRO)
Verbal dismissal on February 4.
In a dramatic escalation of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation's (SAMRO) ongoing governance crisis, CEO Annabell Lebethe was verbally dismissed from her position on February 4, 2026. The decision followed her alleged admission during a tense board meeting that she had misused SAMRO funds.
Board member Dr. Daniel "Dan" Nkosi confirmed the firing exclusively to this reporter, stating he personally raised the motion for her removal.
"The root of it all is the Fundudzi forensic report and the blatant misuse of SAMRO funds. She admitted to this during the board meeting on February 4. On that basis, I moved to fire her, and the board had no choice but to act."
Internal divisions and silenced opposition.
It is said that the meeting was marked by fierce resistance from some board members who initially opposed the dismissal. According to an inside source, Nkosi reminded them that their own names appeared in the damning Fundudzi report, which exposed widespread irregularities, including fraudulent royalty claims over R30 million, collusion, and governance failures forcing them to back down. "They were forced to keep quiet," the source noted.
The dismissal was delivered verbally without immediate formal documentation, prompting Lebethe to challenge the decision by using other legal alternatives. Attempts to contact her for comment failed as she has blocked this reporter and related emails bounced back.
Artists United Chairperson weighs in.
Owen Ndlovu, Chairperson of the artist advocacy group Artists United (AU), confirmed the board's decision and described Lebethe's removal as long overdue. He highlighted the misuse of SAMRO funds as the core basis for her dismissal and noted that AU had been informed directly by board members of the move.
However, Ndlovu expressed ongoing concern:
"Annabelle is gone but she still has access to SAMRO offices. Nobody knows what she's doing there because she should be fighting her dismissal from home, just like everybody else."
He reiterated calls for full accountability, tying the ousting to broader issues flagged in the Fundudzi report.
AU, have long accused Lebethe of misleading the public about the report's findings, downplaying fraud, and retaliating against whistleblowers.
Broader context of turmoil
This development caps months of scandal at SAMRO. One key figure is suspended COO Mpho Mofikoe, placed on precautionary leave in August 2025 after exposing the rot at SAMRO. Protests erupted outside SAMRO's Braamfontein offices, with members demanding transparency and chanting against perceived corruption.
A theft case was opened against Lebethe and CFO Leanne Thomas in October 2025 over the alleged unauthorized use of funds to sponsor a book launch (Put Her In Her Place by Dr. Sbongile Vilakazi in December 2024). It is alleged that both admitted to the board that the sponsorship lacked approval and agreed to repay the funds personally.
Under Lebethe's leadership since 2023, SAMRO touted revenue growth and efficiency gains, but members argue these masked delayed royalties, favoritism toward major publishers, and unresolved COVID-19 relief fund issues highlighted in the Fundudzi probe.
SAMRO's official denial
In a brief response, SAMRO's media team categorically rejected the claims:
"There is absolutely no basis for these claims or allegations, as Ms Lebethe remains the CEO of SAMRO. Any information suggesting otherwise is unfounded and factually incorrect."
This denial comes despite confirmations from board member, Nkosi and AU Chairperson, Ndlovu.
What's next for SAMRO?
With conflicting accounts now in play , Lebethe officially out according to sources, yet still the CEO per SAMRO questions mount: Who holds legitimate authority? When will the full, unredacted Fundudzi report be released? And how will the organization address lingering board implications and member distrust?
Nkosi assured reforms are in progress, including stronger audits and member safeguards, but trust remains fragile in an industry battered by repeated scandals.