By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The ongoing legal dispute surrounding the global hit song “Jerusalema” has taken another turn, as DJ Charmza has initiated court proceedings against Master KG, alleging that he is the true creator of the iconic track.
The case is scheduled for trial from November 17 to November 25, 2025, at the Pretoria High Court, with potential extensions if the trial is not resolved within that timeframe.
DJ Charmza’s lawsuit also names Master KG’s former record label, Open Mic Productions, online licensing platform Africori, and musician Biblos as defendants.
Charmza originally filed the copyright infringement case in June 2022, asserting that he deserves credit for the creation of “Jerusalema.”
According to the court papers, Charmza states he authored the musical work while at Master KG’s residence, with lyrics written and performed by Nomcebo Zikobe, who was also present during the creation process.
The lawsuit claims that since 2019, Master KG and Open Mic Productions have “exploited” the copyright works belonging to Charmza and Biblos for commercial gain, reproducing the sound recording without compensating Charmza with royalties.
In a bid to support his claims, DJ Charmza has indicated plans to call three witnesses to testify on his behalf.
Amidst the legal proceedings, Charmza has expressed serious concerns for his personal safety, following the tragic shootings of his father and sibling, which have prompted him to go into hiding.
The controversy surrounding “Jerusalema” continues to spark discussions within the music industry, as the song remains one of the most successful African hits in recent years.