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Vendors4ED leadership dispute heads to court amid allegations over empowerment funds
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A leadership dispute within vendors’ structures aligned to the ruling party has spilled into the courts, with Patriotic Vendors4ED national chairman Sawu Jere now facing a cyberbullying charge following a complaint filed at ZRP Glen View.
According to a police report referenced as CR103/02/06 and dated 18 February 2026, Vendors4ED chairman Samora Misheck Chisvo accused Jere of cyberbullying. The complaint followed an earlier dispute within the organisation over the handling of empowerment funds.
The conflict stems from allegations made by eight of the ten National Vendors4ED executive members representing provinces, who reportedly lodged complaints with Bulawayo Central Police, the courts and the ZANU PF Commissariat Department. They alleged that Chisvo failed to account for part of a US$200,000 empowerment fund reportedly released through the Office of the Presidential Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara.
According to the complainants, approximately US$125,000 remains unaccounted for. They also alleged that provincial chairpersons did not receive disbursements from a Land Tenure Programme held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), despite the funds allegedly having been handed to Chisvo on 25 June 2025.
In statements seen by this publication, some provincial officials claimed that after receiving the funds, Chisvo left the handover venue with the money and allegedly indicated that his connections within the party would protect him from any consequences.
Chisvo has not publicly responded to the allegations regarding the funds. His legal representatives maintain that the cyberbullying complaint against Jere was filed after questions were raised over the handling of the empowerment money.
Court records indicate that Jere has appeared in court several times since February in connection with the cyberbullying matter. He was granted bail and pleaded not guilty.
During proceedings, Jere denied the allegations and questioned the whereabouts of the empowerment funds. He also distanced himself from the original Vendors4ED structure, now leading Patriotic Vendors4ED, a separate affiliate formed following the leadership fallout.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that the alleged financial dispute has been reported to both the ZANU PF Commissariat Department and the party’s Headquarters Security Department. However, the party has not publicly commented on the allegations, and no court has made findings regarding the disputed funds.
The cyberbullying case was transferred to Mbare Magistrates Court on 9 July 2026 before Magistrate Chivandu, with prosecutor Mupandasekwa. The matter was later remanded to 27 July 2026 by Regional Magistrate Gofa after the court was advised that magistrates would be attending a judicial seminar in Bulawayo.
The case is expected to return to court later this month as the dispute continues to draw attention across platforms such as Zimbabwe political accountability forums.
According to a police report referenced as CR103/02/06 and dated 18 February 2026, Vendors4ED chairman Samora Misheck Chisvo accused Jere of cyberbullying. The complaint followed an earlier dispute within the organisation over the handling of empowerment funds.
The conflict stems from allegations made by eight of the ten National Vendors4ED executive members representing provinces, who reportedly lodged complaints with Bulawayo Central Police, the courts and the ZANU PF Commissariat Department. They alleged that Chisvo failed to account for part of a US$200,000 empowerment fund reportedly released through the Office of the Presidential Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara.
According to the complainants, approximately US$125,000 remains unaccounted for. They also alleged that provincial chairpersons did not receive disbursements from a Land Tenure Programme held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), despite the funds allegedly having been handed to Chisvo on 25 June 2025.
In statements seen by this publication, some provincial officials claimed that after receiving the funds, Chisvo left the handover venue with the money and allegedly indicated that his connections within the party would protect him from any consequences.
Court records indicate that Jere has appeared in court several times since February in connection with the cyberbullying matter. He was granted bail and pleaded not guilty.
During proceedings, Jere denied the allegations and questioned the whereabouts of the empowerment funds. He also distanced himself from the original Vendors4ED structure, now leading Patriotic Vendors4ED, a separate affiliate formed following the leadership fallout.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that the alleged financial dispute has been reported to both the ZANU PF Commissariat Department and the party’s Headquarters Security Department. However, the party has not publicly commented on the allegations, and no court has made findings regarding the disputed funds.
The cyberbullying case was transferred to Mbare Magistrates Court on 9 July 2026 before Magistrate Chivandu, with prosecutor Mupandasekwa. The matter was later remanded to 27 July 2026 by Regional Magistrate Gofa after the court was advised that magistrates would be attending a judicial seminar in Bulawayo.
The case is expected to return to court later this month as the dispute continues to draw attention across platforms such as Zimbabwe political accountability forums.
Source - Byo24news
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