Assassination attempt on new Vendors4ED leader after exposing misuse of US$125 000 fund

A dramatic fallout within Vendors4ED has escalated into alleged violence, with former Bulawayo Vendors4ED patron Tendai Charuka accused of hiring thugs and paying them US$2 500 to assassinate newly elected Vendors4ED national chairperson Sawu Jere.


The alleged assassination attempt comes after Jere and the organisation’s new secretary‑general, Albi Marima, announced the expulsion of former chairperson Samora Chisvo, former secretary Bright Kwinjo and the suspension of five Bulawayo members for allegedly conniving to misuse part of a US$200 000 empowerment fund meant to benefit all ten provinces.

In a letter to ZANU‑PF Bulawayo Province, Jere and Marima said the suspended members had worked with Chisvo, Kwinjo and Charuka in the alleged abuse of funds.

Vendors4ED said three suspects have since been arrested for attempting to kill Jere following his exposure of the alleged financial misconduct.

“As former Bulawayo Vendors4ED patron, Charuka allegedly hired thugs and paid them US$2 500 to assassinate the newly nominated Vendors4ED national chair Jere. The three thugs will appear in court tomorrow, 17 January,” the organisation said in an update.

The group further alleged that Charuka “stole Vendors4ED empowerment funds” and “bribed himself out of custody”, claiming he remained free while three of the suspects were detained.

In Bulawayo, Jere and Marima said Sindisiwe Moyo and several others were suspended for working with Kwinjo, Chisvo and other members to misuse empowerment funds for personal gain.

“The Vendors4ED National Executive Committee set up a structure for further investigation into the disappearance of empowerment funds. Suspended members until further notice are Sindisiwe Moyo, Sekai Nyoni, Florence Ncube, Kelvin Mavura, Simelenkosi Ncube and Tendai Charuka,” the letter stated.

Charuka was the ZANU‑PF aspiring MP for Bulawayo Central in the 2023 elections.

Jere and Marima said the former Bulawayo Vendors4ED executive had lied and connived with Charuka to misuse funds, despite Charuka not being part of the official Vendors4ED structures. They also claimed no funds had been received since the 25 June 2026 disbursement date.

The organisation announced leadership changes, appointing Jonas Chiro as the new Vendors4ED Bulawayo provincial chairperson. Nyarai Simenti from Midlands remains national vice‑chair, while Janet Munyoro from Masvingo becomes treasurer and Albi Marima from Manicaland takes over as secretary.