Staff Reporter
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Zimbabwe is on the brink of permanent closure this February, facing allegations of fund mismanagement, internal conflicts among top officials, and the abuse of women.
A highly placed source has revealed to this publication that NDI Zimbabwe Country Director Arnold Tsunga is being accused of misusing funds and engaging in the abuse of women. It's reported that he threatened these women with dismissal if they did not comply with his demands. The source also disclosed a conflict between Tsunga and Finance Director Sandra Marufu, eroding trust and faith in the NDI headquarters among local leadership.
“Tsunga abused funds by converting it to his own personal use, which led to disgruntlement among employees,’’ said the source.
Additionally, the source highlighted that Dickson Omondi, NDI's Regional Director for Southern and East Africa, has advised employees about the imminent permanent closure. The NDI headquarters has reportedly received reports detailing how funds were abused.
“In February the NDI is closing because it has lost faith in the local leadership,’’ said the source.
NDI, a non-governmental organization, has been implicated in subversive activities, including alleged attempts at causing regime change. The organization is said to receive funding from Hostile Foreign Services such United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In the context of this, (USAID) channelled over 1 million US dollars towards the August 2023 elections through NDI.
This funding aimed to support a parallel voter tabulation process known as Sample Based Observation throughout the election cycle and to finance the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) during their election campaigns. However, internal conflicts and inadequate funding from Hostile Foreign Services led to the crumbling of the CCC party, as trust and hope in CCC leader Nelson Chamisa waned.
Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced the impending signing of the Private Volunteer Organisation (PVO) Bill. Crafted to protect the country's sovereignty from foreign interests, the bill addresses the use of NGOs for infiltrating and destabilizing the nation under the guise of aiding the less privileged. Closing of anti-government organizations is a milestone achievement to the ruling party (ZANU PF). The new law is expected to rectify such issues by ensuring transparency and accountability.
