By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General Tirivanhu Marimo has won a major reprieve after the federation’s Extraordinary General Council overturned his suspension, ruling that the National Executive Committee (NEC) acted outside its constitutional mandate when it sought to remove him from office.
Meeting in Harare on Monday in a hybrid format, the General Council adopted a resolution declaring that the NEC had no constitutional authority to suspend or discipline an elected Secretary General.
Members subsequently nullified Marimo’s suspension and affirmed that he remains the lawful holder of the office.
Monday’s decision marks the latest twist in a deepening leadership dispute that has divided Zimbabwe’s largest labour federation ahead of its Regional, Youth, Women and General Conferences scheduled for later this year.
Last week, ZCTU president Florence Taruvinga announced Marimo’s suspension over alleged misconduct and named Kudakwashe Munengiwa as acting Secretary General.
No details of the allegations were disclosed, while the move immediately triggered objections from Marimo and several affiliated unions, who argued that the suspension violated the federation’s constitution.
In its resolution, the General Council concluded that the NEC had exceeded its powers.
“The General Council determines that the National Executive Committee acted ultra vires the Constitution in purporting to suspend the Secretary General,” read the Monday statement.
Delegates further ruled that disciplinary authority over an elected Secretary General rests solely with the General Council.
“The General Council finds that the National Executive Committee possesses no constitutional authority to suspend, remove or otherwise discipline an elected Secretary General,” read the statement.
Citing Clause 11.3.12 of the ZCTU Constitution, the council said disciplinary powers are vested exclusively in the General Council and not the National Executive Committee.
As a result, delegates formally nullified the suspension communicated on or about July 9.
“The General Council declares that the Secretary General continues to lawfully hold office and shall continue to discharge all constitutional duties, powers and responsibilities vested in that office,” read the statement.
Affiliates, employees and all constitutional structures of the federation were directed to recognise Marimo as “the lawful administrative head of the Congress.”
Attention also turned to communications issued during the dispute.
Delegates resolved that all official correspondence, circulars, directives and reports issued on behalf of the Secretariat must originate from the Office of the Secretary General or from a person authorised in writing by him.
In a further blow to Munengiwa’s appointment, the council resolved:
“Any administrative communication, circular, notice or directive previously issued by Kudakwashe Munengiwa… shall cease to have prospective effect from the date of adoption of this Resolution to the extent that it is inconsistent with this Resolution.”
Government ministries, employers’ organisations, development partners, regional bodies and international organisations were also requested to recognise only communications lawfully issued through the Office of the Secretary General unless otherwise resolved by the General Council.
Delegates acknowledged that the dispute had already disrupted the federation’s operations.
“The constitutional dispute concerning the purported suspension of the Secretary General has occasioned an institutional crisis adversely affecting the orderly administration, governance and effective functioning of the Congress,” read the statement.
Marimo had warned days before his suspension that there were efforts to remove him through unconstitutional means as preparations intensified for the labour body’s elective conferences.
He claimed individuals unhappy with the outcome of the August 2025 ZCTU Congress were attempting to interfere with the federation’s constitutional processes.
Reports from last week’s NEC meeting suggested proceedings became heated as members clashed over whether the committee had the constitutional authority to suspend an elected Secretary General.
Taruvinga subsequently announced Marimo’s suspension, a move that exposed sharp divisions within the organisation.
Monday’s resolution effectively overturns that decision and restores Marimo’s authority over the Secretariat.
It also raises fresh questions over the legitimacy of actions taken following his suspension, setting the stage for a renewed power struggle as the federation prepares for key conferences expected to shape its leadership.
Neither Taruvinga nor Munengiwa had publicly responded to the General Council’s resolution by the time of publication.
