CSFAZ members bar executive

Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Members of the Commercial Sugarcane Farmers of Zimbabwe have barred their executive from interfering with preparations for the association’s elective Annual General Meeting which has since been postponed to next month. The AGM was set for this Friday, but has been moved to November 24.

This follows protests by aspiring candidates that outgoing executive members continued to access resources from the association. The farmers also protested at their council meeting, which is their highest decision-making body other than an AGM that the executive was trying to unconstitutionally bar other contestants from the elections. Chiredzi West legislator Cde Darlington Chiwa said the farmers agreed that the current executive was to be dissolved to pave way for an independent commission to take over preparatory work. The election was due last year, but has been dragging for more than a year. Cde Chiwa, who is former secretary-general in the association, said it was unfair for the executive to play both the role of a player and referee in the election.

“As council members we met last week and agreed that all the farming areas which include Triangle, Mkwasine, Mapanza, Hippo Valley and Mwenezana Estates must second a representative who will take charge in the whole election process,” he said. CSFAZ secretary-general Mr Roy Bhila confirmed that they had been stripped off the power to continue controlling the election. He said the farmers proposed new election dates so as to give room for timely preparations to the election committee.

“Council members agreed to move the elections from 27 October to November 24 this year. The committee will have the mandate to decide on who should vote as well as being voted for,” he said. Those who have publicly declared their interests in this election are former CSFAZ chairman Mr Admore Hwarare who will battle it out with the incumbent Mr Tawanda Mafurutu. On the secretary-general’s post, Dr Tungamirai Rukatya has shown serious interest to contest against Mr Bhila.