Mangoma embezzled MDC-T funds

Elton Mangoma, the suspended MDC-T deputy treasurer general, has been accused of using party funds to  bribe party structures in his presidential bid.

The allegation is contained in a charge sheet served on Mangoma by Lovemore Moyo, the party chairman.

The charge sheet said there was evidence Mangoma's actions brought the party into disrepute after he organised and participated in factional activities.

In a letter dated March 19, Mangoma is said to have contravened article 2.1 (a) of the MDC disciplinary code of conduct.

The deputy treasurer's problems stated after he wrote a letter to Morgan Tsvangirai, asking him to step down as party president following the July 2013 electoral loss.

The party said Mangoma caused the party to be subjected to disdain after he conducted interviews with various media organisation with regards to his strongly worded letter.

The MDC  also charged him with contravening Article 2.1 (g) of the code which compels members not to be involved in factional activities.

"There is evidence that between 1st January 2014 and the date of the National Council meeting aforesaid, (7 March) you organised factional meetings in Masvingo, Manicaland, Harare, Midlands North and Mashonaland Central and used party funds to influence and bribe the structures to undermine party unity and cohesion," Moyo's letter to Mangoma says.

"It is an offense for any member to engage in bribery and factionalism."

The former Energy minister was also charged with disrespecting and undermining the party's organs and elected officials, pointedly the national standing committee, national executive, national council and congress.

The fourth charge relates to Article 5.4 (b) of the party's constitution which speaks to a members conduct.

"Your actions as aforesaid have seriously undermined our relationship with strategic partners," the letter said.

"It is also further noticed that ... behaviour and attitude undermines the party position that the July 31 elections were stolen."

Mangoma will answer to these charges before an Independent Disciplinary Tribunal at a date and place yet to be announced.

Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Mangoma's lawyer Jacob Mafume, an ex-USAid staffer, dismissed the charges as embarrassing and vague.

"The MDC has just sent charges and the disciplinary process can start anytime, but they don't mention when and how he brought the party into disrepute," Mafume said.

"They are very embarrassing and vague and reveal that there is an ulterior motive. They want to ensure that he does not have access to the party structures to campaign."