Former chairperson of Nehanda Co-operative Society in Dzivarasekwa Extension, Never Kowo, allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot members who allegedly confronted him demanding a breakdown of how he had used the co-operative’s funds, a news outlet from Zimbabwe reports. The allegations were made in the High Court where Kowo was seeking an interdict order barring an interim executive elected in April this year from interfering with the operations of the co-operative.
Making her submissions in a packed courtroom, Enesia Gutu, who is the deputy chairperson of the disputed interim committee, said Kowo threatened to shoot the members whom he labeled as “rebels” after they had asked him to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) to give an update over use of funds.
Members of the co-operative held a meeting earlier where they passed a vote of no confidence in the Kowo-led executive and voted in a new executive chaired by Simba Moyo.
This allegedly prompted Kowo and his team to approach the court seeking an interdict stopping the Moyo-led executive from interfering with the co-operative’s accounts and stop purporting to be the leaders of the organisation.
In his submissions, Kowo said Moyo and his team were elected at an illegal meeting which did not form a quorum and had long ceased to be members of the co-operative as they had last paid their subscription in 2012.
However, Gutu said Kowo was using bullying tactics to silence members while he misappropriated the co-operative’s funds.
She said Kowo and his executives were paying themselves hefty amounts in salaries as well as entertainment, funeral, education and other allowances.
Another member of the interim executive, Elizabeth Mapurisa, said Kowo had failed to organise an AGM since the co-operative was registered in 2001.