Vendors4ED chooses new leadership, expels two former leaders

A new leadership structure for Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors4ED) has been ushered in, with National Chairman Sawu Jere taking over from former chairperson Samora Chisvo and former secretary Bright Kwinjo, who were expelled for allegedly misusing US$200 000 meant for disbursement across ten provinces.

Sources said Jere, from Bulawayo Province, was nominated as the new National Chairman, replacing Chisvo and Kwinjo, who allegedly diverted the empowerment revolving fund intended for all provinces. Nyarai Simenti from Midlands Province retained her position as national vice‑chair, while Janet T. Munyoro from Masvingo was appointed treasurer and Albi Marima from Manicaland became the new secretary.

"As Vendors4ED across the whole nation, we congratulate Jere. He attained the chairmanship after replacing Chisvo, who is alleged to have misused the empowerment revolving fund meant for all provinces," a source said. The source added that they hoped Jere would lead the affiliate organisation towards the Vision 2030 mantra.

Chisvo and Kwinjo were expelled recently on allegations of mismanaging the group's revolving fund and misusing money allocated for organisational activities. Their dismissal was announced in a public notice issued by Vice National Chair Nyarai Simenti last week.

"The services of National Chairperson Chisvo and Secretary‑General Kwinjo have been terminated from 10 December 2025 due to mismanagement of the revolving fund, misuse and mishandling of funds allocated for organisational activities, and unilateral decision‑making without consulting other team members or stakeholders," Simenti said. She warned that anyone associating with them on behalf of Vendors4ED would do so at their own risk.

In a separate notice, Simenti also announced the dismissal of Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Tsitsi Pande, effective 12 December 2025, citing similar allegations of fund mismanagement and unilateral decision‑making.

Sources within the organisation allege that Chisvo received US$200 000 meant for distribution across ten provinces but instead shared the money with associates, including members in Bulawayo and the group's Bulawayo patron, Tendai Charuka, who is alleged to have bought a car for his wife using part of the funds. Each province was entitled to US$20 000, but several provinces reportedly received nothing.

Funds meant for Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Mashonaland East were allegedly diverted for personal use, with no beneficiaries receiving support despite being instructed to open bank accounts.

According to insiders, eight national executive members representing eight provinces agreed to expel Chisvo, Kwinjo, Pande and others implicated in the alleged abuse of the presidential empowerment fund. "The executive team has replaced the expelled members with others with immediate effect. We want a clean association, not a corrupt one. Vendors4ED is the best mobilisation team in the nation, and we need sanity in the association," a source said.

Eight provincial members, who also serve as national members, have reportedly written to the Zanu PF commissariat department calling for the expulsion of the three officials. The letter was received on 10 December.