Fighting for control of Bulawayo Agenda escalates, top official suspended

BULAWAYO Agenda has suspended its deputy board chairperson Peter Muchengeti for yet-to-be-known reasons as fighting for control of the organisation escalates.

MDC-T Makokoba legislator Gorden Moyo, a former Bulawayo Agenda leader, prominent Bulawayo lawyer Kucaca Phulu, Prince Zwidekalanga Khumalo, pastors Useni Sibanda and Patson Neta, recently tried to mediate in the fallout without success.

Muchengeti has since been barred from representing the organisation in any capacity as the infighting continues, according to a letter signed by Bulawayo Agenda general council secretary Vumani Ndlovu.

Ndlovu yesterday confirmed writing the suspension letter, but said it was an internal issue not worth discussing in the public arena.

"You are, therefore, advised that you can no longer represent the organisation in any capacity pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing which you should be advised on when it will be convened," the letter dated August 5 reads in part.

It does not indicate the charges levelled against Muchengeti. Muchengeti confirmed his suspension and said he was taking Bulawayo Agenda to court.

"I am seeking legal recourse over my suspension. I do not want to comment further about this matter," Muchengeti told Southern Eye yesterday. Bulawayo Agenda board chairperson Debra Mabunda confirmed the suspension of Muchengeti and said it was an internal matter.

"It's an internal issue and his suspension has nothing to do with the alleged politics going on in the organisation. I think it will not be fair for me to bring out the issues before a disciplinary hearing is held," Mabunda said yesterday.

Mabunda confirmed that there was infighting in the organisation.

"There were mediators to try and deal with the internal matters of the organisation. Some of them were members of the governing council before and were best placed to offer advice on the way forward," she added. Bulawayo Agenda acting director Mmeli Dube refused to comment.

"I do not want to comment about issues to do with the board. Bulawayo Agenda is a non-partisan civic society organisation," Dube said.