Gweru (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe Miners Federation has suspended its president Henrietta Rushwaya and secretary for external affairs Gift Karanda after they were arrested at the Harare International Airport on Monday for allegedly attempting to smuggle 6 kg of gold worth US$333 000.

Addressing the media after a management committee meeting, ZMF national chairperson Makumba Nyenje said they were suspending the two until finalisation of their cases in court or expiry of their terms of office next year.

Nyenje said Marufu Sithole the first vice president would take over in an acting capacity until the cases were finalised.

He said the suspensions were consistent with provisions of the ZMF constitution.

“Attention is drawn to section 12 subsection sub-section 10 of the constitution of the ZMF which talks about the suspension or expulsion of any member who has committed a breach of any of the provisions of the constitution.

“We have also read that in conjunction with section 6 subsection 12 subsection 4 which talks about termination of office of national executive members, which reads; a member convicted of a criminal offence shall also cease to be a member of the national executive.

“Since the case is before the court, whilst awaiting the verdict this committee is recommending to the general council that we suspend Henrietta Rushwaya from the office of the president of the ZMF as well as Gift Karanda from the office of external affairs from the national executive,” he said.

Nyenje said the position of secretary for external affairs would not be filled urgently but would wait for recommendations from the general council.

He said the ZMF was saddened by the conduct of the two members who he said were acting in their personal capacities.

Nyenje assured the meeting was going to come up with a subcommittee that would look into the accounts of the ZMF as well as engage auditors if the need arose.

He said the last audit was done in July this year and all books of accounts were in order.

Meanwhile Sithole said he would run the organisation as prescribed by the constitution.

Rushwaya was arrested on Monday this week at the Robert Mugabe International Airport en-route to Dubai with 6kg of gold.

After the arrest, Rushwaya implicated four others Ali Mohammed, security officers Steven Cherai and Rafius Mupandauya and Karanda who have also been arrested.

She is set to appear in court on Friday for bail determination.

New Ziana