ZCTU leadership wrangle deepens

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is embroiled in one of its most significant internal leadership disputes in recent years after president Florence Taruvinga announced the suspension of secretary-general Tirivanhu Marimo, a move he has rejected as unconstitutional.

The dispute has exposed deep divisions within the country's largest labour federation, with both leaders insisting they are acting in accordance with the ZCTU constitution while accusing the other of acting outside the organisation's governing framework.

In a statement announcing the decision, Taruvinga said the ZCTU National Executive Committee had resolved to suspend Marimo with immediate effect over allegations of misconduct, including refusal to comply with lawful instructions.

"The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) would like to notify all affiliates, stakeholders and cooperating partners of the suspension of the secretary-general, Tirivanhu Marimo, over acts of misconduct. Marimo is suspended and relieved of all official duties on behalf of ZCTU," the statement said.

The organisation also announced the appointment of Kudakwashe Munengiwa as acting secretary-general pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.

Speaking in a brief interview, Taruvinga said both she and Marimo recused themselves from the National Executive Committee meeting after making their submissions because they were regarded as interested parties.

"I was actually not part of the deliberations. Mr Marimo and myself were asked to leave the room after we made our representations because I was deemed to be an interested person. After their deliberations we were then called back and advised that Mr Marimo had been suspended," she said.

"So, he remains suspended and if he is aggrieved, he knows what he should do for recourse. We are surprised that he is holding on to all the union's social media handles, removing other administrators."

However, Marimo has dismissed the suspension as invalid, arguing that the National Executive Committee has no constitutional authority to suspend an elected secretary-general.

In a memorandum addressed to ZCTU affiliates, he maintained that disciplinary powers over elected office bearers are vested exclusively in the General Council.

"The office of the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has noted with grave concern a statement issued on July 9, 2026, by the president of the congress, Ms Florence Mucha Taruvinga, purporting to announce the suspension of the secretary-general on the basis of what was described as a unanimous decision of the National Executive Committee," Marimo said.

He also disputed the claim that the decision had been unanimous.

Marimo argued that the ZCTU constitution clearly assigns disciplinary authority over elected officials to the General Council rather than the National Executive Committee.

"The ZCTU constitution does not confer upon the National Executive Committee any power to suspend, remove or otherwise discipline an elected secretary-general. Rather, the constitution expressly vests disciplinary authority over officers of the congress in the General Council, which, under Clause 11.2, is the highest governing authority of the congress between general conferences and exercises the delegated powers of the general conference. Clause 11.3.12 specifically empowers the General Council to consider disciplinary action against any officer or affiliate of the congress," he said.

Marimo has since called for a General Council meeting to challenge the suspension, setting the stage for a constitutional showdown within the labour movement over the interpretation of the federation's governing rules.

The dispute remains unresolved.