Harare, (New Ziana) – Contrary to recent reports, Martin Zharare says he remains firmly in charge of the Citizens Against Economic Sanctions (CAES), as the organisation undertakes a restructuring exercise.
He said the restructuring follows developments within the executive committee after secretary, Triciah Magombedze, communicated the removal of Ellioson Muchenje (deputy chairman), Sylvia Dhliwayo (deputy secretary), Wallace Matavire (committee member), and Zezai James Katonje (committee member) from the organisation last month.
The decision followed an Extra-Ordinary Annual General Meeting (EAGM) held on 19 March, where it was resolved that the quartet had breached the CAES Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) constitution by setting up parallel structures and participating in unsanctioned meetings.
“For the record, I am still in charge of the CAES organisation, which I formed until it became a registered PVO. Their actions are null and void. In recent days, they have been spreading a lot of wrong information regarding the organisation’s activities,” Zharare said.
He added that legal steps are being taken to prevent the dismissed members from using the CAES name in their activities.
“Our lawyers have already handled that, and we will remain on top of the situation. Those who wanted to see me out wanted to tarnish my image, hence they made unfounded allegations against me, assassinating my character in the process,” he stated.
Zharare also alleged that the group, which is now leading a rival faction, had sown divisions within the organisation and opposed the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).
Meanwhile, he said CAES remains focused on its mandate and will continue implementing projects aimed at improving the livelihoods of Zimbabweans.
In partnership with several government ministries, parastatals and communities, the organisation is rolling out development initiatives, particularly in water provision, with 87 boreholes drilled to date in vulnerable, drought-prone areas.
CAES, formed in 2017, seeks to champion the removal of what it describes as illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries at the turn of the millennium.
