Mujuru's ally steps down

Admore Hwarare, a strong ally of embattled former Vice President Joyce Mujuru has stepped down as secretary general of the Zimbabwe Sugar Milling and Industry Workers Union (ZISMIWU), one of the biggest workers movements in the country.

His resignation seems to have been spurred by the Mnangagwa faction which is now in charge as fortunes for Hwarare started plunging at the same time Mujuru left office.

Hwarare was initially implicated in a plot to assassinate President Mugabe in the period running to the Zanu PF Congress in December last year.

Thereafter his offices in Chiredzi were gutted by fire. No sooner had he recovered from this loss did the new team running Government give an order to stop Tongaat Hullet forwarding subscriptions amounting  to $85 000 a month to the Union.

Hwarare confirmed his resignation in an interview to The Mirror.

As problems mounted against him, Hwarare soon found workers passing a vote of no confidence in him. Elections that sidelined him were conducted and a new executive put in place.

Hwarare challenged the elections but last Friday High Court Judge Justice David Mangota dismissed his appeal, a development that forced him to resign.

Paul Mangawana, a lawyer, former Cabinet Minister and Politburo member linked to the Mnangagwa faction represented the new executive in their legal battle against Hwarare.

Hwarare tendered his resignation to the newly elected leadership led by Freedom Madungwe a few hours after delivery of the High Court judgment.

Hwarare however, said his resignation had nothing to do with the High Court case but was driven by his desire to take a break from public issues.

"I tendered my resignation on March 1, 2015. I need to take a break. All these people fighting me for ZISMIWU are my brothers. I am tired of fights, I was now fighting with war vets who I went to war with.

"I have a lot of things to do in life and I have since started a business which can sustain my family," said Hwarare.

Mangwana confirmed the development.

"The court confirmed the special general meeting convened on 14 February which also passed a vote of no confidence against Hwarare and his cabal as valid. It also ruled that the authentic leadership is the one led by Madungwe," said Mangwana.

Mangwana also confirmed receipt of Hwarare's resignation letter.

"As lawyers we were duly instructed by Madungwe as the new president of ZISMIWU that we should deal with Hwarare's terminal benefits after we have done our own audit of ZISMIWU books. Hwarare says he was earning $7 000 a month but that is awkward considering the members' salaries," said Mangwana.

ZISMIWU which has 17 000 members was formed 15 years ago to represent sugarcane workers in Hippo Valley, Triangle, Mkwasine and now Mwenezi in labour issues.

The new ZISMIWU executive is led by Freedom Madungwe as president, Katerere Godfrey as vice president and four committee members Chikandiwa Brawl, Tavonga Vandirai, Chirhilele Lucia and Nokuthula Dube.