Mavambo Takes Makoni to Court

Comment & Analysis
A FACTION of the Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) movement led by national mobilisation chairman Kudzai Mbudzi filed an urgent High Court application Thursday seeking to bar suspended founding leader Simba Makoni from using the movement’s resources.

A FACTION of the Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) movement led by national mobilisation chairman Kudzai Mbudzi filed an urgent High Court application Thursday seeking to bar suspended founding leader Simba Makoni from using the movement’s resources.

In his founding affidavit lodged with the High Court, Mbudzi said the courts should stop Makoni, a former Finance minister and Zanu PF politburo member, from “abusing” MKD property until police complete investigations into alleged swindling of the movement’s funds.  

“This application seeks additional relief restraining the said Simba Makoni and other respondents from dealing or interfering in any way with the money, assets, premises and other resources of the movement pending the conclusion of investigations for which Makoni has been placed on suspension,” Mbudzi wrote.

“The application also seeks an order directing the respondents to surrender all the applicants’ books of accounts and property to facilitate an audit or investigation.”

Mbudzi cited Mavambo Trust and trustees, Harare city council ceremonial mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and MKD treasurer Abiathar Mujeyi as respondents.

The retired army major said Masunda and Mujeyi were still in control of “some of the assets and resources” belonging to the beleaguered movement.

“Worse still, and directly relevant to the matter, Simba Makoni (and his coterie of friends) also turned the money, assets and other resources of the movement to his personal use or abuse,” averred Mbudzi.

“No one,” Mbudzi argued, “except Makoni and a few of his close friends know where the vehicles (of the movement) are hidden.”

The ex-Zanu PF politburo member has since dismissed his suspension and threatened to sue for defamation some members of the movement’s National Co-ordinating Committee for allegedly maligning his reputation.

Last month some MKD provincial leaders, which excluded Harare province, recalled Makoni after accusing him of misusing party property.

Makoni came a distant third in last March’s presidential elections.

According to Mbudzi, national co-ordinator Ibbo Mandaza and journalist Kindness Paradza, Makoni’s presidential bid received donations to the tune of US$3 million and 34 vehicles.

Some of the money and vehicles, they alleged, were abused.

BY BERNARD MPOFU