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Patriotic Vendors4ED Mat South addresses members on change of name
2 hrs ago |
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Matabeleland South Patriotic Vendors4ED Provincial Chairperson Thobekile Mafu has briefed members in the province on the organisation's recent name change and the dismissal of the former national executive, promising improved accountability and better prospects for traders.
The organisation's new leadership, led by Sawu Jere, resolved last week to rebrand from Vendors4ED to Patriotic Vendors4ED. The decision follows allegations that former national chairperson Samora Chisvo abused about US$125 000 of the US$200 000 allocated under the Presidential Empowerment Fund for vendors across the country's ten provinces.
In her address, Mafu said the developments stem from events at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on 25 June 2025, where Young Women for Economic Development hosted a Land Tenure programme. The event reportedly featured a speech by Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
"The event supported empowerment and the Land Tenure launch, and witnessed Bulawayo Province Vendors being launched. President's Advisor, Paul Tungwarara, handed over US$40 000 to the then Vendors National Chairperson, Samora Chisvo, for Bulawayo and Matabeleland North Province Vendors," Mafu said.
She added that Matabeleland South members expected to receive their own empowerment allocation at the same event but were surprised when only Matabeleland North was called out, despite Mat South having been launched earlier.
Mafu said that after receiving the funds, Chisvo and Tendai Charuka allegedly sped off before the meeting ended, raising suspicion. Days later, Chisvo was asked to explain why Mat North received funding ahead of Mat South. He reportedly instructed Mat South leaders to open an account at Empower Bank, which they did, but no funds were deposited.
"Due to such behaviour and dishonesty from Samora Chisvo, he was expelled from the Vendors affiliate," Mafu said.
She emphasised that the key purpose of her address was to inform members that during the affiliates' vetting and registration exercise at Zanu‑PF Headquarters on 5 February 2026, Matabeleland South leadership agreed to change the organisation's trading name from Vendors4ED to Patriotic Vendors4ED, distancing themselves from what she described as the "thuggish leadership of Chisvo and his cabal".
"Beware, vendors, of these crooks. Do not be fooled again," she said.
The organisation's new leadership, led by Sawu Jere, resolved last week to rebrand from Vendors4ED to Patriotic Vendors4ED. The decision follows allegations that former national chairperson Samora Chisvo abused about US$125 000 of the US$200 000 allocated under the Presidential Empowerment Fund for vendors across the country's ten provinces.
In her address, Mafu said the developments stem from events at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on 25 June 2025, where Young Women for Economic Development hosted a Land Tenure programme. The event reportedly featured a speech by Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
"The event supported empowerment and the Land Tenure launch, and witnessed Bulawayo Province Vendors being launched. President's Advisor, Paul Tungwarara, handed over US$40 000 to the then Vendors National Chairperson, Samora Chisvo, for Bulawayo and Matabeleland North Province Vendors," Mafu said.
She added that Matabeleland South members expected to receive their own empowerment allocation at the same event but were surprised when only Matabeleland North was called out, despite Mat South having been launched earlier.
Mafu said that after receiving the funds, Chisvo and Tendai Charuka allegedly sped off before the meeting ended, raising suspicion. Days later, Chisvo was asked to explain why Mat North received funding ahead of Mat South. He reportedly instructed Mat South leaders to open an account at Empower Bank, which they did, but no funds were deposited.
"Due to such behaviour and dishonesty from Samora Chisvo, he was expelled from the Vendors affiliate," Mafu said.
She emphasised that the key purpose of her address was to inform members that during the affiliates' vetting and registration exercise at Zanu‑PF Headquarters on 5 February 2026, Matabeleland South leadership agreed to change the organisation's trading name from Vendors4ED to Patriotic Vendors4ED, distancing themselves from what she described as the "thuggish leadership of Chisvo and his cabal".
"Beware, vendors, of these crooks. Do not be fooled again," she said.
Source - Byo24News
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