Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE High Court in Harare has put an end to a long-running leadership dispute within the Destiny of Afrika Network (Danet), ruling against former Manicaland projects coordinator, Mr Wilson Masokowere, and barring him from entering the organisation’s Mutare offices.
In a recent judgment, Justice Jacob Manzunzu dismissed Mr Masokowere’s urgent chamber application, in which he sought to halt the enforcement of an earlier ruling that confirmed his dismissal from the organisation.
The court found that the matter failed to meet the threshold of urgency and struck it off the roll, ordering Mr Masokowere to pay punitive costs.
This decision paves the way for the Sheriff of the High Court to evict him from Danet’s 5th Avenue premises, and ensures that he will no longer interfere with the organisation’s operations.
Justice Manzunzu underscored in his ruling that Mr Masokowere no longer holds any legal standing within the organisation.
“The respondent is hereby interdicted from entering or approaching the applicants’ Mutare business premises, including, but not limited to, Number 29, 5th Avenue, Mutare, and shall not be permitted to access any of the Applicants’ premises,” reads part of the judgment.
It further states that Mr Masokowere is, “hereby interdicted and prohibited from interfering, in any manner whatsoever.”
Mr Masokowere had been contesting his dismissal for over three years, resisting efforts by Danet founder and president, Reverend Obediah Musindo to remove him from his post.
The fallout between the two men, once close associates, reportedly began after Mr Masokowere allegedly refused to facilitate an audit of the Manicaland housing projects run by the network.
Rev Musindo had accused him of blocking auditors sent from head office to scrutinise the books amid allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds.
In his court papers, Rev Musindo claimed Mr Masokowere became hostile towards the audit team, further deepening tensions between the pair.
The dispute marked a dramatic turn in what had been a long-standing partnership.
However, the relationship deteriorated sharply, culminating in a series of legal battles.
Previously, Rev Musindo dragged Mr Masokowere to court over allegations that he had swindled him of shares in their jointly founded security company, Boltspeed Security Services.
That matter remains pending before the courts.
The latest judgment also ordered Mr Masokowere to cover legal costs incurred by Rev Musindo in seeking to regain control of Danet’s Manicaland operations.
The judgement affirmed that Mr Masokowere ceases being an employee of the organisation.
In an interview, Mr Masokowere, who was at the office when The Manica Post called, said he will not defy the court ruling, insisting he was only present to hand over his keys to colleagues.
He explained that the takeover of projects by the company’s Harare office will, not only affect him personally, but also the 9 000 members Danet has in the province.
“All I am asking for is a proper handover and takeover process. We have 10 projects in Mutare and 9 000 members, which means it is not just me who will be affected.
“Harare cannot simply take over without documentation and explanations of how we were operating. If I just leave the keys and funds are misappropriated later, people will say I went away with the money.
“Since our stay of execution was dismissed by the High Court, I am handing over the keys, but I want everything handled by the book,” he said.
In a phone interview, Reverend Musindo dismissed Mr Masokowere’s concerns, saying only him will be affected by the leadership change, not the members.
“We are appointing a taskforce to run the projects transparently. We will conduct the audit he has been refusing to sanction, covering the stands and the books, and verifying payments with members. No one will be affected except Masokowere.
“We have already acquired more land to correct the mistakes he and his associates made,” he said.
Rev Musindo accused Mr Masokowere of defrauding the company of millions of dollars.
“Over 1 000 people in Mutare paid more than US$3 000 each for stands, but were not allocated them, and the money was not recorded in the books. He also sold 300 stands to non-members, and the audit will establish whether that money was accounted for.
“This man and his colleagues amassed wealth overnight. We tried to resolve these matters internally, but when it continued, I had no option but to take it to court,” said Rev Musindo.
