adminand factionalism in the Commercial Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (CWUZ).
His meddling has reportedly created cracks in the CWUZ, an affiliate of the ZCTU. The Jobert Mudzumwe-led faction is accusing Mr Chibebe of meddling in CWUZ by backing Ms Lucia Matibenga whom they say was operating in contempt of a Supreme Court order of 2006.
In an interview, Mr John Chifamba, the assistant general secretary of CWUZ said Mr Chibebe was destroying the labour body by protecting Ms Matibenga and recognising her in ZCTU business.
Mr Chifamba said Ms Matibenga was barred by Supreme Court judgement SC46/07 from trying to set aside the election of CWUZ leadership in 2006 because she lacked the legal right to do so. The contested election saw Mr Lovemore Mushonga coming in as general secretary and Mr Mudzumwe later succeeded him. At that time Ms Matibenga claimed to be the acting general secretary seeking to set aside the election of Mr
Mushonga. But the High Court threw out the application on the basis that Ms Matibenga had no loci standi to represent CWUZ.
Supreme Court judge of Appeal Venranda Ziyambi, upheld the same ruling. Mr Chifamba said Mr Mudzumwe was the legitimate general secretary but Mr Chibebe was disregarding him and preferring to deal with Ms Matibenga.
“It is Chibebe who is protecting her in order to destroy the existence of the labour centre.
“Matibenga is actually in contempt of the Supreme Court by claiming to be the general secretary.
“Chibebe is misleading the nation by recognising Matibenga as general secretary. Mr Mudzumwe was appointed general secretary after the death of Mr Mushonga and legally he is heading CWUZ and not Matibenga,” he said.
Mr Chifamba said his faction had since reported to the police a case they were accusing Ms Matibenga of collecting CWUZ subscription without authority. Mr Chibebe dismissed the allegations as false and baseless saying the Mudzumwe faction was a bogus gathering.
He said he was simply operating according to the ZCTU general council and that Ms Matibenga was not even representing them.
“Ms Matibenga is not representing them. There is no contempt of court. There is no mention in the court order that that the Matibenga group should not be part of ZCTU. From 2005 that group comprising the likes of Mudzumwe has been harassing ZCTU.
“Those people are not registered with us. They have written to us seeking affiliation with ZCTU, but we are yet to consider the application among other 20 applicants,” said Mr Chibebe.
Mr Chibebe said the Mudzumwe faction comprised “ignorant people who were not versed with the operations of ZCTU” adding that they were lucky that he responded to their claims. Mr Chifamba said Ms
Matibenga should be barred from attending the congress next month on the basis that she was not a member and that she was operating in breach of the court order.
Online Reporter