The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) yesterday elected a new board led by Mr Edson Mlambo amid calls to restore sanity and integrity at the society which plays a critical role in assisting vulnerable communities.
The elections were held at a hotel in Harare where Mr Mlambo was elected ZRCS president with 27 votes against Dr Lovemore Dube’s 10 votes.
Mr Mlambo will be deputised by two vice presidents, Mr Dubilizwe Mpofu and Mr David Chaliyanyika.
For the treasurer’s post, Mr Paradzai Dakwa emerged the winner after garnering 36 votes against Mr Last Kakora’s one vote.
Speaking after the elections, Director for Policy, Public Relations and International Affairs in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Mr Nicholas Mbara, challenged the new board to rebuild the credibility of Red Cross.
ZRCS falls under the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.
“Allow me to congratulate the newly elected board of ZRCS. We in Government have a lot of expectations from your leadership. It is not a secret that the name and credibility of ZRCS has been battered by accusations and counter-accusations that have characterised the election period,” said Mr Mbara.
“As Government, we greatly value the important auxiliary role the Red Cross plays in alleviating suffering of the vulnerable members of our society. I have no doubt that you were persuaded to join the Red Cross movement by the urge to assist the needy and that should remain your guiding beacon as you go about your business.”
He appealed to the ZRCS leadership to disengage from the election mode and focus on helping the needy.
The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) head of Southern Africa cluster, Dr Michael Charles, said his office will facilitate induction for the new ZRCS leadership.
“We are certain that through this election, ZRCS will be complete as we start a new journey. Let us continue working together for humanity. Let us not fight ourselves but concentrate on our core mandate of serving humanity.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) head Southern Africa, Mr Mamadou Sow, urged the new leadership to be guided by the fundamental principles of working for humanity.
“We are a trusted brand worldwide due to our work, hence let’s continue working for the people. As ICRC we have worked closely with ZRCS and the ongoing challenges should be tackled once and for all. It had dragged for too long in the midst of a global crisis of Covid-19. I believe we will come out of this crisis,” he said.
The newly elected president Mr Mlambo said: “There is no winner or loser out of this process; humanity should always be our priority.
“Considering that we are going through turbulent times as Zimbabwe Red Cross, we pledge that we will continue to work together in a transparent and accountable manner.”
