By Staff Reporter
HARARE – The Friends of Learnmore Jongwe Trust say they have suspended board member Daniel Molokele pending a hearing after he conducted a memorial service for the late former student leader and MDC spokesman last Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa allegedly without consultation.
In an interview with Nehanda Radio the chairman of the Trust, Pedzisai Ruhanya, said they had nothing to do with the memorial service which has apparently angered the family of the late Rutendo Muusha, who was allegedly stabbed eight times by her husband (Jongwe) during a domestic row in 2002.
Jongwe was arrested in July 2002 after the incident. In October he allegedly committed suicide inside a cell in the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. Efforts to remember Jongwe’s contribution to Zimbabwean opposition politics have hit an emotional brick wall over the manner in which he killed his wife.
This year Molokele is said to have engaged the Muusha family for the Jongwe memorial service in South Africa. Rutendo’s brother Munyaradzi Muusha told the independent Daily News that attempts by the student leaders to immortalise Jongwe had revived bitter memories of his sister’s gruesome murder.
Trust chairman Pedzisai Ruhanya told Nehanda Radio “We have told him (Molokele) several times about the sensitive nature of the issue and that in all this, the best interests of the child must take precedent. The child’s interest is our greatest priority and such bad publicity is not necessary.
“We don’t want a situation where the child’s name’s mentioned in the media without cause. We also don’t want to offend the two families. Molokele has done that and it’s very regrettable. We are very sorry to the two families and we hope to conduct our activities with due sensitivity in future.
Contacted for comment Daniel Molokele could only say “the truth will come out, eventually.” Pressed to elaborate Molokele said “Sorry. That’s all I can say for now. I am a man of action not words.”
The Friends of Learnmore Jongwe Trust says it was set up to “identify and further the interests of the late Jongwe”, “quantify and preserve the contribution of the late Jongwe” and to provide a welfare facility for his family.”
The Trustees include Jongwe’s friends and colleagues like MDC National Organising Secretary Nelson Chamisa, Chalton Hwende, Ernest Mudzengi, Daniel Molokele, Philip Pasirayi, Trust Mamombe and Pedzisai Ruhanya.
