adminFarirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The Western-sponsored Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has been rocked by divisions following revelations members aligned to outgoing director Mr Macdonald Lewanika will hold a special meeting on Monday next week to reverse a board decision not to renew his contract.
The meeting is also expected to pass a vote of no confidence in board chairman Mr Dewa Mavhinga.
The organisation has been divided since the board passed a resolution not to renew Mr Lewanika’s contract of employment that expires on December 31, citing financial irregularities noted in the 2013 audit report.
Addressing a press conference in Harare on Wednesday, Mr Mavhinga said the special general meeting was illegal.
“The illegal so-called special general meeting improperly called by the secretariat for the purpose of reversing the board’s decision on one employee is null and void and will not take place under current conditions where there is no harmony and where the outgoing director is causing chaos to address a personal employment contract issue, he said.
“All CZC members were duly notified that the board did not authorise the unsigned, anonymous notice for the special general meeting and that should such a meeting be required, proper procedures will be followed to convene the meeting,” said Mr Mavhinga.
Mr Mavhinga said as a board they were guided by principles of good corporate governance and that they would not be blackmailed into reversing the decision not to renew Mr Lewanika’s contract.
He accused elements in the donor community of taking sides.
However, Mr Lewanika dismissed Mr Mavhinga’s allegations saying he had not played any role in convening Monday’s meeting.
“Mr Mavhinga has no locus standi to call for this special general meeting.
“The meeting was called by members following a meeting held at our offices on October 23 to discuss important issues that have arisen in the organisation that include the audit report, my status and questions around the chairman’s leadership.
“Section 13 (1) (V1) of our constitution says notices for meetings are generated and sent out by the secretariat. So this is not a meeting called for by Macdonald Lewanika but by the members of CZC,” he said.
He said members that called for the meeting include those from Bulawayo and the Women’s Coalition.
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