Union decries use of funds for political activities

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
Members of the Medical Professionals and Allied Workers Union have petitioned Government to investigate misappropriation of funds, amid allegations that the union leadership is also funding political activities using the contributions. In a letter to Public Works, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira dated September 24 2015, 17 members of the trade union called for the ministry’s intervention in restoring order at the union. “The union funds are being used to fund political activities of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) led by Mr Munyaradzi Gwisai,” read the letter.

The members accused the leadership of doctoring the group’s constitution without following due process. “The current constitution does not meet statutory requirements, it does not conform to the Labour Act provisions in Section 28(1) (b) (iii) (iv) (v) and (vi) and Section 35(b) (c) (f),” the letter reads.

It is the workers’ complaint that some assets of the union were registered as personal property and there was no asset register.

The union funds, according to the members, were being unaccounted for and misappropriated to an extent that the $10 000 that came from the National Employment Council for Medical Professionals for the purpose of capacity building was converted to personal use by the top leadership. It is the members’ argument that the leadership has not been calling for Annual General Meetings and no financial statements were being presented.

MPAWU, according to the members, was not complying with statutory obligations such as remitting tax to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and dues to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA). The union leadership, according to the membership, was not maintaining a proper register of members and a record of fees.