THE newly-elected executive of the Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors 4ED) has suspended its national member, Edson Chibaya, over his alleged role in the misappropriation of US$125 000 from the empowerment fund.
The funds are being distributed to various Zanu PF affiliates by Presidential Investment adviser Paul Tungwarara.
In a letter dated January 11, addressed to the Zanu PF Bindura commissariat department and the party’s Mashonaland Central provincial executive, the Vendors 4ED leadership announced Chibaya’s immediate suspension.
The letter was signed by the incoming Vendors 4ED chairperson Sawu Jere, and secretary-general Albi
Marima.
This follows similar disciplinary measures taken in Bulawayo, where a number of former leaders were expelled and members suspended over the same scandal.
The controversy centres on a US$200 000 empowerment fund meant to be distributed
US$20 000 to each of the Vendors 4ED’s 10 provincial structures.
- Council says outsiders causing chaos on streets
- ‘Mupedzanhamo reopening long overdue’
- Vendors applaud govt on toll fees
- Zanu PF space barons protest against Coltart
Keep Reading
According to the letter, Chibaya is accused of conniving with others and failing to report the former national chairperson, Samora Chisvo, with a “common objective to defraud” eight provinces of US$125 000.
“The Vendors 4ED Mashonaland Central has lost faith in his services, hence he is suspended until further notice,” the letter read.
It indicated that provincial chairperson Sigola Tunje Amakhosi (also known as Lucky Kapiya) will oversee all vending activities in Mashonaland Central.
The suspension is part of a wider purge within the organisation.
Last week, a new leadership led by Jere replaced Chisvo and former secretary Bright Kwinjo, who were expelled for alleged misuse of the US$200 000 fund.
In a separate letter to Zanu PF Bulawayo province, the new executive also suspended five Bulawayo members for allegedly conspiring with Chisvo, Kwinjo and former Bulawayo patron Tendai Charuka.
The suspended Bulawayo members are Sindiswe Moyo, Sekai Nyoni, Florence Ncube, Kelvin Mavura, Simelenkosi Ncube and Charuka.
The letter alleged that the former Bulawayo executive “lied and connived” with Charuka to misuse funds, noting that “no cash was received from the June 2023 disbursement date until now”.
A new committee led by Jonas Chiro has been appointed to run Bulawayo affairs.
The new national executive has established a committee to investigate the disappearance of the funds.
The letters noted that Chisvo, Kwinjo and Charuka were summoned by the Zanu PF commissariat department, but failed to appear.
The organisation has finalised its new national leadership structure.
Alongside Jere and Marima, Nyarai Simenti from Midlands remains vice chair, while Janet Munyoro from Masvingo is the new treasurer.
Vendors 4ED is an affiliate of Zanu PF that mobilises the vending community.
