Court Shuts Down Nomcebo Zikode’s Appeal — Ordered to Drop Two More Albums Before Freedom!
Court Shuts Down Nomcebo Zikode’s Appeal — Ordered to Drop Two More Albums Before Freedom!
South African music sensation Nomcebo Zikode’s appeal has encountered another hurdle in her ongoing legal dispute with Open Mic Productions. The Pretoria High Court recently dismissed the vocalist’s request to appeal an earlier verdict, dealing a blow to her efforts to terminate her recording contract.
Nomcebo Zikode’s Appeal in Record Label Dispute Denied By Court
In a stern judgment delivered on July 24th, the court affirmed its May decision requiring Zikode to:
Fulfill her contractual commitment by delivering two additional albums
Pay R1.5 million in legal costs to Open Mic Productions
Presiding Judge Graham Moshoana declared the appeal application lacked merit, stating it showed “no reasonable prospects of success.” The court further ordered the Grammy winner to cover additional legal expenses incurred by the record company during the appeal process.
Artist Vows to Continue Fight
An emotional Zikode described the judgment as “profoundly disappointing” but affirmed her determination to pursue justice. Sources close to the artist reveal her legal team is examining all possible options, including potential further appeals.
“This isn’t just about me – it’s about fairness for all artists in our industry,” Zikode was quoted as saying following the verdict.
Record Label Responds
Open Mic Productions welcomed the court’s decision, with managing director Lionel Jamela reiterating the company’s position. He emphasized the label’s substantial investments in Zikode’s career and maintained their stance regarding ownership rights of the “Jerusalema” intellectual property.
This latest development marks another chapter in the high-profile case that has drawn attention to artist-label relationships in South Africa’s music industry. Industry analysts suggest the outcome may set important precedents for contractual disputes moving forward.
