Vendors4ED member loots empowerment funds

The newly-elected leadership of Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors 4ED) has suspended its national member, Edson Chibaya, over his alleged role in the misappropriation of US$125 000 from the organisation's empowerment fund.

The funds, part of a US$200 000 empowerment package distributed by Zanu-PF Presidential Investment adviser Paul Tungwarara, are intended to support the organisation's provincial structures. According to the new Vendors 4ED leadership, Chibaya allegedly colluded with others and failed to report former national chairperson Samora Chisvo in what was described as a "common objective to defraud" eight provinces of US$125 000.

In a letter dated January 11 and addressed to Zanu-PF Bindura commissariat and the Mashonaland Central provincial executive, the new leadership announced Chibaya's immediate suspension. The letter was signed by Vendors 4ED chairperson Sawu Jere and secretary-general Albi Marima.

"The Vendors 4ED Mashonaland Central has lost faith in his services, hence he is suspended until further notice," the letter stated. Provincial chairperson Sigola Tunje Amakhosi (also known as Lucky Kapiya) has been tasked with overseeing vending activities in Mashonaland Central.

The move follows a broader purge within the organisation, including the recent expulsion of former national chair Chisvo and former secretary Bright Kwinjo over alleged fund misuse. In Bulawayo, five members — Sindiswe Moyo, Sekai Nyoni, Florence Ncube, Kelvin Mavura, Simelenkosi Ncube — along with former patron Tendai Charuka, were suspended for allegedly conspiring to misappropriate funds. A new committee led by Jonas Chiro has been appointed to manage Bulawayo affairs.

The national executive has also established an investigative committee to probe the missing funds. Chisvo, Kwinjo, and Charuka were reportedly summoned by the Zanu-PF commissariat department but failed to appear.

Vendors 4ED, an affiliate of Zanu-PF that mobilises the vending community, has finalised its new national leadership structure. Alongside Jere and Marima, Nyarai Simenti from Midlands remains vice chair, while Janet Munyoro from Masvingo is the new treasurer.

The organisation's leadership has emphasised that strict disciplinary measures will continue as part of efforts to restore accountability and transparency within the vending sector.