Charuka forgiven after apology to Jere as court case is withdrawn

Patriotic Vendors4ED national chairman Sawu Jere has forgiven Zanu‑PF Bulawayo Greens District leader Tendai Charuka following his apology, leading to the withdrawal of charges of inciting violence that had been laid against him.


Charuka had been expected to appear in court on 26 February to answer to the allegations, but the matter was removed from the roll after Jere withdrew the complaint. The two leaders reportedly held discussions in which Charuka apologised for the misunderstanding.

In a statement, Jere confirmed that the trial did not proceed.

“As a leader, I withdrew the charges in the spirit of togetherness within the party and also taking into consideration that the ones who assaulted me lied that they were sent by Charuka,” he said.

Three men were arrested for assaulting Jere on 16 January, claiming they had been sent by Charuka following the exposure of alleged abuse of Presidential Empowerment Funds amounting to US$125,000 out of the US$200,000 earmarked for vendors across ten provinces.

Both Jere and Charuka are Zanu‑PF members, and Charuka previously served as patron of Vendors4ED.

“Zanu‑PF is known to be peaceful, and as Patriotic Vendors for ED, we have to lead by example to other affiliates that togetherness builds our party towards Vision 2030,” Jere said.

He added that his Christian upbringing guided his decision to forgive.

“I was raised in a Christian family, always inspired by Acts 13:22, where God says David is a man after His own heart because he did not cherish stubbornness; whenever he sinned, he repented. When a neighbour asks for forgiveness, we must forgive wholeheartedly. Forgiveness is limitless (Matthew 18:21–22). I don’t need any form of payment to forgive my Zanu‑PF cadre.”

Patriotic Vendors4ED spokesperson Dumiso Makhalima said the organisation is now focused on preparations for its Matabeleland North provincial launch at Lupane Business Centre on Sunday, 1 March, with mobilisation continuing.