Trust Rukwava
Centre News Hub
Harare- Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)’s highest decision-making body, General Council, has lifted the controversial suspension of the Union’s Secretary General, Tiri Marimo, by the national executive, declaring it unconstitutional, null and void.
In a statement, the Union advised its affiliate unions, workers, the Government, employers, social partners, development partners, regional and international labour organisations, and the general public that the Extraordinary General Council, which was lawfully convened on July 13, had concluded its deliberations concerning the purported suspension of the Secretary General.
The General Council said it engaged in extensive deliberations and, in its capacity as the highest governing authority of the Congress between General Conferences and exercising the delegated powers of the General Conference,e it resolved that the President Florence Taruvinga-led National Executive Committee had no constitutional authority to suspend the Secretary General.
“The General Council consequently resolved to set aside the purported suspension and affirms that the Secretary General continues to lawfully hold office and to discharge all constitutional powers, duties and responsibilities vested in that office by the Constitution. The Constitution expressly vests disciplinary authority over officers of the Congress in the General Council and not in the National Executive Committee,” read part of the statement.
The General Council also passed a Resolution which further reaffirmed that the Office of the Secretary General remains the constitutional administrative authority of the Congress responsible for the administration, coordination, communication and implementation of the decisions of the constitutional organs of ZCTU.
It was further resolved that all official communications issued on behalf of the Secretariat shall emanate only from the Office of the Secretary General or persons duly authorised by that Office in accordance with the Constitution.
“Accordingly, any administrative communications or directives purporting to emanate from the Secretariat without such constitutional authority are withdrawn to the extent that they are inconsistent with the resolution of the General Council. Recognising that the recent constitutional dispute has created uncertainty within the Congress, the General Council has adopted measures intended to restore constitutional order, institutional stability and confidence in the governance of the organisation,” said the General Council.
The supreme body of the Union went on to direct that all constitutional processes relating to the 2026 Regional Conferences, Young Workers Conference, Women’s Conference and General Conference shall proceed under the direct supervision of the General Council, with the Secretariat reporting directly to the General Council in accordance with an approved constitutional timetable.
The General Council said the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is an independent, democratic and autonomous workers’ organisation governed exclusively by its Constitution and by the decisions of its constitutional organs.
“No individual office bearer, committee or structure may exercise powers beyond those expressly conferred by the Constitution,” added the General Council. The General Council appreciated its affiliate unions for their steadfast commitment to constitutionalism, democratic governance and organisational unity during this period.
“We extend our gratitude to workers, social partners and development partners for their patience and confidence in allowing the Congress to resolve this matter through its own constitutional processes. The Congress wishes to assure all stakeholders that the constitutional governance of the ZCTU has been reaffirmed, the administration of the organisation continues uninterrupted, and preparations for the 2026 constitutional meetings and General Conference will proceed in accordance with the Constitution and the timetable approved by the General Council,” reiterated the General Council.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions said they remain resolute in their mandate to defend workers’ rights, promote decent work, strengthen social dialogue and safeguard the independence, unity and constitutional integrity of the trade union movement in Zimbabwe. The General Council further adopted a policy on the representation of organised labour at national, regional and international forums.
“The Council reaffirmed that the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions remains Zimbabwe’s principal national trade union centre and principal spokesperson of organised labour. Consequently, where Government, international organisations or development partners request a single representative of organised labour, the ZCTU shall make that nomination. Where the participation of additional labour federations is considered desirable, the requesting institution should make provision for the accreditation and funding of additional representatives rather than requiring the ZCTU to relinquish its allotted representation”, concluded the statement released by the General Council
