Music royalties collecting agency Sampra files R64 million lawsuit against the SABC over its non-payment of money due to artists.

The South African Music Performance Rights Association (Sampra) has filed a R64 million lawsuit against the embattled South African public broadcaster over the SABC's non-payment of royalties owed to musicians.

The collecting agency filed court papers in the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday, demanding that the SABC pays the outstanding millions due to musicians for playing their music.

"We served them with summons on Wednesday for failing to pay for the license fees due to us for our artists," says Tiyani Maluleke, Sampra spokesperson.

"The SABC uses over 90% of music belonging to our members but they have never paid any cent towards the licence fees to us for our members for over 10 years while other broadcasters have been paying."

Sampra is trying to collect royalties on behalf of both local and international acts it represents, including artists like the rappers Common, Notorious BIG, Cassper Nyovest, AKA, Kwesta and DJ Euphonic.

"The SABC can confirm that it has been served with combined summons by Sampra. We are unable to comment any further on this matter," says Neo Momodu, SABC spokesperson.