Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is facing one of its most serious internal crises in recent years after its president, Ms Florence Taruvinga, announced the suspension of secretary-general Mr Tirivanhu Marimo.
However, Mr Marimo rejected the move as unconstitutional and called a general council meeting to challenge it.
The dispute has exposed deep divisions within the labour body, with both leaders claiming to be acting in accordance with the ZCTU constitution and accusing the other of acting outside the organisation’s governing framework.
In a letter announcing the decision, Ms Taruvinga said the ZCTU national executive committee had resolved to suspend Mr Marimo with immediate effect over a slew of allegations, including misconduct and refusal to comply with lawful instructions.
“The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) would like to notify all affiliates, stakeholders and cooperating partners of the suspension of the secretary general Tirivanhu Marimo over acts of misconduct. Marimo is suspended and relieved of all official duties on behalf of ZCTU,” said the statement.
The organisation also announced the appointment of Mr Kudakwashe Munengiwa as acting secretary-general pending further developments.
Speaking in a brief interview on Sunday, Ms Taruvinga said the decision to suspend Mr Marimo was reached by the national executive committee after both of them had recused themselves from the deliberations because they were considered interested parties.
“I was actually not part of the deliberations. Mr Marimo and myself were asked to leave the room after we made our representations because I was deemed to be an interested person. After their deliberations we were then called to be advised that Mr Marimo had been suspended. So, he remains suspended and if he is aggrieved, he knows what he should do for recourse. We are surprised that he is holding on to all the union’s social media handles, removing other administrators,” said Ms Taruvinga.
However, Mr Marimo has refused to recognise the suspension, describing it as legally invalid and maintaining that the national executive committee lacked constitutional authority to suspend an elected secretary-general.
In a memo to affiliates, he argued that disciplinary powers over elected officers are vested exclusively in the general council and not the national executive committee.
“The office of the secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has noted with grave concern a statement issued on July 9, 2026 by the president of the congress, Ms Florence Mucha Taruvinga, purporting to announce the suspension of the Secretary-General on the basis of what was described as a unanimous decision of the National Executive Committee,” he said.
Mr Marimo further disputed the claim that the decision had been unanimous.
He further argued that the suspension had no constitutional basis.
“The ZCTU constitution does not confer upon the national executive committee any power to suspend, remove or otherwise discipline an elected secretary-general. Rather, the constitution expressly vests disciplinary authority over officers of the congress in the general council, which, under Clause 11.2, is the highest governing authority of the congress between general conferences and exercises the delegated powers of the general conference. Clause 11.3.12 specifically empowers the general council to consider disciplinary action against any officer or affiliate of the congress,” he said.
daniel chigunwe