Zimbabwe empowerment group saga raises eyebrows

The resignation by all the 8 members of the Affirmative Action Group's national executive committee has raised eyebrows on whether the association is still a worthy advocate of broad based black economic empowerment.
The leadership of the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) disengaged with founder president, Mr. Phillip Chiyangwa over his alleged unilateral appointments of Henrietta Rushwaya and Jennifer Mhlanga as vice presidents to the national executive. The move has left a vacuum in the empowerment lobby bringing into question the role of one of the country's most outspoken and influential empowerment groups.
This comes at a critical time when indigenisation and empowerment of the disadvantaged majority of Zimbabweans is taking centre stage in socio-political and economic circles.
Reporters sought an interview with founding AAG president, Mr. Phillip Chiyangwa who referred all questions to another founder member Tendai Savanhu.
However, Savanhu could not be drawn to comment by end of day.
Former AAG Chief Executive Officer, Dr Davison Gomo defended the departed executive for advancing the empowerment of the majority, adding that the AAG now risks serving narrower interests after what occurred.
Speculation has also emerged that the disengagement of the former AAG's leadership from the organisation is more deeply rooted than the official reasons with allegations that they want a stake in a local diamond mining firm.
Dr. Gomo however refuted knowledge of such a development, adding that such a venture would have been carried out in the public domain for the benefit of the whole group.
While the AAG had received sympathy from the majority of Zimbabweans as a group which fought to advance the cause of disadvantaged black people, it is the alleged personalisation of the pressure group and hunger for power and self enrichment by its leaders which threatens to tear it apart.