THE food union now has a new acting general secretary promoted from the union’s organising department following the resignation of John Peter Gwatiringa last month.

The Federation of Food and Allied Workers Unions of Zimbabwe (FFAWUZ) union’s national organising secretary Runesu Dzimiri was appointed acting general secretary following an executive meeting that stretched into the evening which saw staff members being summoned to be advised of the development on the day.

FFAWUZ President Pilate Mushanyuki revealed in a memo that Gwatiringa had resigned.

Dzimiri said he was grateful to the lord for his appointment as an appreciation from his superiors on his contribution to the organisation.

“I am grateful for the appointment which is a show of trust and appreciation of my commitment to the organisation by my superiors. I take the appointment as a challenge to duty as I will continue heading the organising department. I hope that I would be able to administratively steer the union forward. We have a lot on our hands, to revive the union which will also translate to good fortunes for our mother body the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions,” he said.

He said he will work towards assist members to develop their skills, improve and communication 

promote dignity and self-esteem of members and the organisation and improve the quality of life of the members and their  working conditions.

He paid tribute to ZCTU for moulding him into the labour activist that he has become to be through various training courses.

Dzimiri started his union involvement back in 1995 as an assistant geologist at Shabanie Mine before venturing into the transport industry for three years. He reinforced his trade unionism when he joined Delta Corporation where he worked for 12 years. During his stint at delta he managed to be in the workers committee for nine years in different capacities. He also managed to undergo different trade union trainings and rose to become the FFAWUZ Young workers chairperson, ZCTU North-eastern region councillor. He is also the Chitungwiza Residents Trust Chairperson.