A FORMER chief aide to the MDC-T presidency has accused the opposition party of deliberately emptying its bank account to dodge a court order for his outstanding dues.
Kudzanayi Mashumba, who served as chief aide to then-acting president Thokozani Khupe, obtained a garnishee order against the party’s bank accounts following a protracted legal battle over unpaid salaries and benefits.
But after falling out with Khupe over political differences, Mashumba said the party turned its back on him.
In a recent ruling, the Labour Court ordered MDC-T to pay Mashumba US$7 600 in salary arrears.
However, according to court documents, he received just US$2 948,41.
“Within five days of service of this order upon it, the garnishee shall pay to the judgment creditor a sum of US$2 984,41, being the funds currently available in the judgment debtor’s account,” the document read.
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“In the event that the garnishee receives or holds any further amounts on behalf of the judgment debtor on the date of this order, the garnishee shall remit such monies… with a view to satisfying the remaining balance of US$4 651,79.”
The legal blow is the latest in a string of financial crises for the MDC-T.
In 2023, the party allegedly failed to pay nomination fees for its parliamentary candidates, leading to its failure to participate in general elections.
Party leaders have blamed frozen government disbursements and the withdrawal of foreign donor support.
However, critics and former workers argue the party prioritises “other programmes” over the welfare of its staff.
In an interview with NewsDay, Mashumba said he would take the matter to higher courts if the MDC-T failed to pay.
“I was employed by MDC-T in 2020 after we won the Supreme Court judgment. After congress, when Dr Khupe was toppled by Douglas Mwonzora, he illegally dismissed me and cut all my salary and benefits,” Mashumba said.
“This case has been in the courts for about five years. If MDC-T does not pay what is due, I will be forced to further pursue the case in higher courts. MDC-T is broke and they lie to their tenants that they have money.”
Mashumba alleged that MDC-T withdrew the remaining funds to sabotage him after the bank received the garnishee order late.
“They only left US$2 948, which I received. MDC-T either changed their bank account or negotiated with the bank to withdraw cash to avoid paying the outstanding amount.”
MDC-T information and publicity officer, Chengetai Guta, dismissed Mashumba’s claims when contacted for comment.
“Disputes are not solved in the public domains,” Guta told NewsDay.
“In simple terms, he is attention-seeking.”