ZCTU battle for control takes new twist

By Chengetai Zvauya

The battle for control of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) yesterday took a new twist with some affiliates disregarding the election of the new executive led by George Nkiwane and pledging their allegiance to ousted president Lovemore Matombo. Matombo, who did not attend the weekend congress which was held in Bulawayo, lost the election to Nkiwane.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe together with 10 leaders of ZCTU affiliate members described the weekend elections as “bogus and sham.”

“The purported and alleged election congress in Bulawayo by other members of the ZCTU was done in direct contravention of the ZCTU constitution and therefore whatever resolutions, changes and outcomes at the congress were a nullity.

“We still recognise the ZCTU president as Lovemore Matombo and Japhet Moyo as the acting secretary general and that no structures whatsoever have been changed,’’ said Majongwe. He said the affiliate members will soon approach the courts to challenge the leadership of Nkiwane and are in the process of planning a fresh election.

“As the true custodians of the ZCTU constitution and true representatives of the workers, we are proceeding with our challenge against the alleged congress in court. A proper ZCTU congress is going to be held this year by bona fide ZCTU members acknowledging and in proper compliance with the constitution,’’ said Majongwe.

ZCTU under the leadership of the outgoing secretary general Wellington Chibebe last week held the elections in Bulawayo, which put in Nkiwane as the new president of the labour body. Nkiwane will be deputised by Lucia Matibenga, Thokozile Siwela and Rwatinyanya Chigwagwa while Japhet Moyo was elected the secretary general.

The new executive will be holding office for the next five years. Majongwe and other ZCTU affiliates last made attempts to block the ZCTU congress through an urgent chamber application which was dismissed by High Court Judge Susan Mavangira last week. Daily News