The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) has suspended Dr P Mugoni for bringing the name of the organisation into disrepute. This comes after Mugoni wept at a Zanu-PF rally where he purported to represent the organisation. A letter written to Mugoni advising him of his suspension reads:
Reference is made to the various complaints lodged against you by our members. It is alleged that on the 31s’ of May 2018, in your capacity as the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA), you addressed a political party rally in Gweru. This is a violation of the ZHDA Constitution (adopted in 2015), particularly section 1.3, as well as the foundations on which the association was formed. Furthermore, you used the name of the association without prior permission from the members and/or executive.
This is tantamount to bringing the name of the association to disrepute and is a violation of the medical council regulations which state that you cannot be part of any political movement during your internship. ZHDA does not associate with any political party, but you may do so as an individual member of ZHDA. In light of these allegations, we as the members have effectively suspended you from the position of Secretary General with immediate effect All benefits and privileges are also suspended, pending an investigation and a hearing.
The recommendation comes after consultation with the former ZHDA NEC, current NEC and members nationwide. Partaking in any ZHDA activity during this suspension will be a further violation of the constitution, and legal measures will be instituted. You may, however, resign if you so choose, or appeal to members.
Please be guided accordingly.
ZHDA showed their MDC face by suspending an honest Doctor who felt for once in his lifetime meaningful change had taken place with regards the Doctors working conditions. Rather than suspend Dr Mugoni they could have a word with him privately rather than dance to the public gallery. Whoever wrote that letter of suspension wanted to humiliate a greatful young Doctor. This organisation has strategic elements who are MDC through and through who felt humiliated when they tried to further the MDC agenda by advocating for a strike. The young Doctor saw sense in negotiations and as such the MDC political mileage through a strike that this organisation had envisaged did not materialise . By publicly writing a letter of suspension it’s a clear sign of vengeance. Time will tell and I say to the young Doctor you have patients at heart as you did all you could to avert a strike unlike your organisation which is so MDC it dies not care about consequences to the patients if a strike had happened. Its sour grapes and these people who hated you for being hard working are the same people who will be Seeking your forgiveness because Zanu-PF is going to win resoundingly. Dr Nugoni is my hero and greater things will happen to this visionary young Doctor who is intelligent and focused. Citing a Doctors constitution to justify an ill thought out decision is counterproductive and come July elections Dr Mugoni’s vision will come true and the constitution will be used against the kangaroo decision to suspend Dr Mugoni. Dr Mugoni !you have a very bright future ahead stay calm for they can see but not perceive and hear without understanding!