The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is embroiled in a deepening controversy following allegations of election rigging and constitutional violations during its December general assembly, which ushered in a new board led by president David Chaliyanika. Former board members and insiders have accused the ZRCS management and outgoing leadership of employing underhand tactics to manipulate the election process, raising serious questions about the integrity of the organisation’s governance.
The new board, elected during the general assembly held in Kariba last December, includes Emmaculate Chuma and Bennard Sharara as vice-presidents, and Paradzayi Dakwa as honorary treasurer. Chaliyanika, who previously served as vice-president, took over from Edson Mlambo, who is alleged to have orchestrated his successor’s victory.
The election was witnessed by Tendai Chilowa, director of policy, planning, and international relations in the Defence ministry, representing Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and Jules Amoti, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for southern Africa. Notably absent was John Roche, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.
Court Challenge and Alleged Irregularities
Prior to the general assembly, disgruntled ZRCS members had attempted to halt the elections by filing a High Court application, citing numerous irregularities. They argued that the election process was flawed and in violation of the organisation’s constitution. Specifically, they highlighted the improper composition of the elections committee, which they claimed was not set up according to Article 29.9 of the ZRCS constitution adopted in 2018.
Instead of the mandated 24 members, the elections committee comprised only six individuals: Barbra Chimboza (former magistrate and committee chairperson), Elias Hwenga (ZRCS secretary general), Wellington Magaya (ZRCS legal advisor and board member), Lewis Banda, Fortune Musindo, and Tendai Chilowa from the Defence ministry.
“In any case, how does the secretary general, Hwenga, who is the CEO and chief accounting officer of the ZRCS, become a member of the Elections Committee of the same organisation he is in charge of?” an insider questioned. “It, therefore, means whatever election was conducted or authorised by this committee or its representatives is a nullity.”
The court, however, allowed the general assembly and elections to proceed, advising the aggrieved members to seek redress through a normal court application.
Manipulation of the Constitution
Insiders have accused the elections committee of manipulating the constitution to allow unqualified individuals to contest and win positions at branch, district, and provincial levels. For instance, in Mashonaland West province, many district executive members reportedly do not meet the minimum educational requirements stipulated in the ZRCS constitution.
“In Kadoma, most of the district executive members are holders of village health worker and nurse aid certificates,” sources revealed. “In Hurungwe district, only the chairperson and vice-chairperson meet the minimum educational requirements of the constitution. The others are all holders of village health worker certificates.”
Article 33 of the ZRCS constitution mandates that post holders at district, provincial, and national levels must have a minimum of five O-level passes and a national diploma. Additionally, the treasurer is required to hold a diploma in accounts or finance-related subjects. Furthermore, candidates must have been ZRCS members for at least three years to qualify for district executive positions.
However, many elected members allegedly fall short of these requirements. “Some members in some districts had fraudulent membership receipts that bear the stamp of the ZRCS headquarters in Harare but are not signed by the officer who purportedly received the membership fees in their branches and districts,” a source disclosed.
Flawed Process and Lack of Qualifications
The election process has been described as deeply flawed, with allegations of widespread irregularities. “The whole process is said to have been flawed right from the appointment of the elections committee and the whole election process in clear violation of the constitution,” a source said.
Many of the elected members reportedly hold qualifications such as village health worker certificates, nurse aid certificates, or even just a driver’s licence, which do not meet the constitutional requirements. “Some have only a driver’s licence, while others have caregiving certificates,” a source added.
Calls for Accountability
The disgruntled members are now preparing to take their grievances to the parent ministry, with their legal team working on a petition. “We are taking the issue to the parent ministry, and our legal team is working on the petition,” a source said. “We have overwhelming evidence against the secretary general and the former president, which is in the form of emails, documents, videos, and audios.”
Efforts to get comments from Mlambo and Hwenga were unsuccessful. Mlambo refused to comment on his alleged involvement in the election rigging, while Hwenga did not respond to questions sent to him.
A Crisis of Credibility
The ZRCS, one of Zimbabwe’s largest humanitarian organisations with over 20,000 volunteers across the country, now faces a crisis of credibility. The allegations of election rigging and constitutional violations have cast a shadow over its leadership and governance, raising concerns about its ability to fulfil its humanitarian mandate effectively.
