Is DJ Shimza In Serious Trouble? Fired As Kunye Records Director, Then Headlines Kunye Jozi XI Anyway!

Iyoh, DJ Shimza was removed from his own company and still showed up to rock the decks! On Saturday night, 7 November, the DJ, real name Ashley Kholofelo Raphala, headlined Kunye Jozi XI at Huddle Park in Johannesburg. That is despite reports that he was removed as a director of Kunye Records over allegations of financial misconduct.

Kunye Jozi XI is part of the events series under the Kunye Together brand, which Shimza owns, and he shared the line-up with international DJ Francis Mercier and house veteran DJ Kent.

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Kunye Records is the company at the centre of the corporate dispute. The allegations are unproven and Shimza is challenging the decision in court, so nothing here is a finding against him.

DJ Shimza Kunye Records Dispute: What The Court Papers Allege

Here is where the tea gets heavy, Mzansi. Shimza and his co-director, Jarrad Evan Treger, were removed from Kunye Records after an application by fellow shareholder Hannes Hoffmeister, according to a report by Africa Daily.

Hoffmeister accuses them of financial misconduct, unauthorised payments and conflicts of interest. The Companies Tribunal ruled on 20 August 2026 that both be removed with immediate effect.

The court papers allege Shimza failed to disclose his interest in Just Exists (Pty) Ltd, which received R752 000 from Kunye Records between 2022 and 2024. Hoffmeister also alleges that Strongbow paid Kunye R540 000 on 2 April 2024, and it was transferred to Just Exists the next day under the reference “Just Exist Refund”. He says no refund was due and the board did not approve it. Hayibo, those are serious claims!

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There is more. Hoffmeister alleges a R185 000 payment to Shimza’s entity, Shimuzic, on 1 August 2023 without board approval, and says it was unrelated to supporting the company’s events. He also alleges payments to Shimza’s personal tour manager and personal photographer without board approval.

Finally, he accuses Shimza of setting up two brands, U’R and Shimza & Friends, that allegedly competed with Kunye by targeting the same audience and booking similar artists. Ngeke, these claims are only allegations so far.

DJ Shimza Kunye Records Fight Heads To The High Court

Shimza and Treger are not taking this lying down. They have approached the Western Cape High Court to challenge the decision, arguing they were not given a proper opportunity to respond to the allegations. So the story is far from over, and the court has yet to decide.

Meanwhile, the party went on as planned, and that is what has people talking. So is Shimza showing strength by staying on stage, or is it a bold move while the dispute is still hot? Tell us in the comments!