Edmore Veterai
Beatific
Gumbwanda
Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI–
Serious fissures have emerged within the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development
Association (ZSDA) after a disputed election in which former chairperson Edmore
Veterai was walloped by Elisha Tamirepi for the top post.
Serious fissures have emerged within the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development
Association (ZSDA) after a disputed election in which former chairperson Edmore
Veterai was walloped by Elisha Tamirepi for the top post.
The
election to choose the association’s new executive was held recently at
Porepore Hall in Mkwasine and Veterai has refused to accept defeat and is said
to be leading a parallel executive.
election to choose the association’s new executive was held recently at
Porepore Hall in Mkwasine and Veterai has refused to accept defeat and is said
to be leading a parallel executive.
Tensions
started in April this year when the Tamirepi camp sought out a court order to
bar an election which they said was being conducted under a dark cloud which
would favor the Veterai camp.
started in April this year when the Tamirepi camp sought out a court order to
bar an election which they said was being conducted under a dark cloud which
would favor the Veterai camp.
Last
week, Tamirepi polled 70 votes against Veterai’s 60 with the latter refusing to
accept the results saying they are null and void.
week, Tamirepi polled 70 votes against Veterai’s 60 with the latter refusing to
accept the results saying they are null and void.
“We
will not accept the result because it is a product of a fraudulent
process. The elections were rigged and
people without identification documents were being allowed to vote,” said
Veterai.
will not accept the result because it is a product of a fraudulent
process. The elections were rigged and
people without identification documents were being allowed to vote,” said
Veterai.
Veterai
also said that the association has formally split into two respectable groups,
with one led by him and the other by Tamirepi.
also said that the association has formally split into two respectable groups,
with one led by him and the other by Tamirepi.
“ZSDA
has formally split into two respectable working teams. One team is led by
Tamirepi and the other team is led by Veterai. We have established a team of
ten, five from the Tamirepi group and five from the E.G Veterai group.
has formally split into two respectable working teams. One team is led by
Tamirepi and the other team is led by Veterai. We have established a team of
ten, five from the Tamirepi group and five from the E.G Veterai group.
“Next
week they will seat down to take stock of ZSDA inventory and equitably and
proportionately recognize each contribution on residues,” said Veterai.
week they will seat down to take stock of ZSDA inventory and equitably and
proportionately recognize each contribution on residues,” said Veterai.
The
election was convened by Chiredzi Rural District Council chairperson, Edward
Matsilele.
election was convened by Chiredzi Rural District Council chairperson, Edward
Matsilele.
ZSDA
which had a membership of about 135 farmers is likely to face an exit from the
Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (ZSS) board, where an association should have a minimum of
100 farmers.
which had a membership of about 135 farmers is likely to face an exit from the
Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (ZSS) board, where an association should have a minimum of
100 farmers.
