dyton mupawaenda
Mathew Masinge
TEMPERS flared among members of Hopely Housing Cooperative on Saturday after they accused their secretary of embezzling funds and double allocation of stands.
Disgruntled members disrupted a meeting on Saturday calling for the suspension of secretary Francis Dekete.
Dekete, who has been holding the position since 2013, is accused of misappropriating more than US$50k from the cooperative.
This came to light after members contributed funds for a pending door-to-do stands audit.
The audit findings alleged that Dekete and the chairman, Tinashe Chuma, were involved in a number of underhand dealings.
“We are tired of Dekete’s administration, he has been misusing our money since 2013 and blocking audits over the years.
“After we bypassed him and contributed towards an audit, the findings exposed him and others of misusing our funds.
“Hopely is lacking in development because of his actions,” said one disgruntled member, only identified as Mukanya. The audit also showed that Dekete was receiving members’ contributions towards development using a personal receipt book and keeping the documents at his house.
After skirmishes, the members agreed to suspend Dekete pending investigations.
Thirty three members voted for his suspension while 21 were against the idea to sack him.
However, Dekete protested saying his suspension was not legally binding and he would continue with his duties.
“I am still legally the secretary for Hopely Housing Cooperative and can only be suspended or relieved of my duties at an end of year Annual General Meeting.
“The findings of the audit are not factual and they haven’t been brought forward to me.
“Some of these members have personal issues with me and I can’t force them to like me,” said Dekete. Hopely Housing Cooperative was allocated 600 stands by the City of Harare.
The cooperative broke away from its founding members and still shares the same name, the matter to authenticate the group is still pending before the High Court.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter