Zanu PF Harare provincial members are allegedly at each other’s throats after some officials helped themselves to money running into thousands of dollars donated to the province by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
Some members of the Godwills Masimirembwa-led executive are being accused of abusing money that was donated by Tagwirei after they facilitated his rise to the Zanu PF central committee.
The money was meant to be given to party supporters mobilised to cheer Tagwirei during the party’s annual conference held in Mutare last month.
The Sakunda owner was attending the conference for the first time as a central committee member after he was co-opted by the Harare province.
He had just been confirmed as a central committee member at the organ’s meeting held on October 15 ahead of the Mutare gathering.
It has emerged that only a small amount of the over US$90 000 handed to the Masirembwa-led executive was given to supporters while the rest was looted.
Also looted was money paid to the province for administrative purposes.
Early this year, Tagwirei pledged US$500 000 towards the administration of Zanu PF Harare province after it seconded him for co-option into the central committee in March this year.
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He also dished out expensive vehicles to Harare provincial members .
The money was allegedly deposited into Harare province accounts for administration.
Well-placed sources disclosed that before the conference, five top Harare executive members including Masimirembwa (chairperson), his deputy Ephraim Fundukwa, Nobert Jinjika (secretary for administration) and Voyage Dambuza (commissar) shared US$10 000 each.
Of the difference, they had agreed that only a small amount should be given to supporters and they would share the remainder.
Only a few thousands were used to pay the cheerleaders.
“But after the conference, the members were angry when their colleagues told them that he had dished out all the money,” an executive member, who refused to be named disclosed.
This created tension within the group members, who knew that they had been duped.
“After that, one executive member also withdrew $50 000 from the money paid by Tagwirei for administration,” the source said.
“When he was confronted, he said he had taken his share and told others to go and take theirs as well.”
This publication could not immediately verify if the others withdrew the money as well.
“The five top executive members had agreed that of the US$500 000, they will take US$50 000 each and keep the remaining $250 000 for the administration of the party,” the executive member added.
The alleged looting of funds has created tension within the provincial executive, it has been revealed.
One of the top six executive members then reported to Tagwirei that money was being abused.
Tagwirei is said to have told him that he will tell President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he returns from Qatar. Mnangagwa returned from Qatar recently.
Masimirembwa denied accusations that his executive looted funds donated by the businessman.
“I don’t know about the donation form Tagwirei that you are talking about,” he said when contacted for comment.
“Did he donate anything to Harare, and has he complained?
“It’s best if you reach out to him about that.”
Sources also said participants who took part in the Zimsports4ED for the Mumhumutapa Sports Tournament held on September 13 at Lord Malvern High School , in Waterfalls, Harare, were not paid despite Tagwirei allegedly paying US$100 000 for the awarding winners at the competition.
Karatekas who participated at the sporting event have approached Tagwirei over the issue, the source said.
Fundukwa said he was not authorised to speak on Zanu PF matters.
Last week, there were also allegations that Tagwirei gave US$100 to provincial coordinating committee members as transport money, but each of the over 200 members was given US$50 instead, forcing others to approach and raise the issue with the businessman.
The money was for transport to attend the provincial meeting held last weekend at the party’s provincial headquarters.
