Wrangle Over Control Of Sugar Workers Union

CHIREDZI - Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai, who has been entangled in a bitter fight for control of the Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZISMIWU) in the lucrative sugar growing industry in the Lowveld, has ordered the arrest of his rival Admore Hwarare in trumped up charges as a bid to strip him of the chairmanship, sources told Radio VOP.

Veterai, who grabbed a very productive farm here from a white farmer, Andrew Nesbit, has been at the center of a serious fight for the control of the association after Hwarare, also a ZANU PF loyalist, has been resisting moves to elbow him out.

ZISMIWU has a membership of more than 5 000 workers among them cane cutters, and artisans in the sugar processing plants that pay a monthly subscription of R50.

Sources said Veterai ordered the police top brass in Chiredzi to arrest Hwarare over ‘unfounded allegations’ in a bid to discredit him and unseat him.

"This is an extension of the power struggles between Hwarare and Veterai. Veterai has always been eyeing the post. Now, Hwarare was arrested over some unfounded allegations of corruption. They alleged he smuggled some tones of sugar outside the country last week," a member of ZISMIWU said.

Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Phibion Nyambo could neither deny nor confirm the arrest of Hwarare.

"I am out of the office, phone me on Monday next week so that I can clarify with Chiredzi," said Nyambo.

Details of where Hwarare was detained remained hazy by the time of going to print as the police remained mum over the issue.

source: .radiovop