11/09/2025
Hope for Zimbabwe Children (HFZC) Team Leader ( Thulani Moyo ) Faces Disciplinary Action and Possible Criminal Charges Over Work Equipment Misuse.
11 September 2025
Hope for Zimbabwe Children (HFZC) is once again putting its values of Trust, Responsibility, Understanding, Transparency, Honesty, and Accountability (TRUTHA) into practice, after a case of serious misconduct involving one of its own leaders.
Hope for Zimbabwe Children (HFZC), a self-funding organisation built on the values of hope, trust, and service to the vulnerable, now finds itself confronting yet another internal crisis. At the centre of this unfolding disturbing issue is Mr Thulani Moyo, a team leader whose recent conduct has sparked disciplinary action and possible criminal proceedings. The case highlights not just individual misconduct but also broader systemic challenges the organisation continues to face in recruiting honest and professional volunteers in Zimbabwe.
Mr Thulani Moyo, a team leader with HFZC, is facing disciplinary action and potential criminal proceedings after breaching the organization’s Equipment and Usage Policy (Amended January 2025).
*Background of the Case*
In October 2024, Mr Moyo was issued a brand new Samsung work mobile phone to enable him to effectively carry out HFZC assignments. Along with the phone, he was required to read, understand, and sign the Equipment and Usage Policy, which clearly spells out the responsibilities of staff and volunteers regarding work assets.
*The policy makes it explicit that:*
“Misuse of HFZC equipment, including personal use, unauthorized software installation, or failure to report non-functioning equipment issues, may result in disciplinary action, termination of services, or termination of beneficiary support.”
*Events Leading to the Disciplinary Action*
On Monday, 8 September 2025, HFZC management attempted to reach Mr Moyo on his work phone regarding a follow-up assignment. There was no response. Attempts on Tuesday were also unsuccessful.
When management eventually contacted Mr Moyo on his personal number, he stated that the work phone was not working. Pressed further, he claimed the device had stopped working on Sunday, 7 September and said he first noticed the glitch On Sunday when he attempted to access the settings and since then, the problem persisted and begun affecting the overall functionality. He confirmed that the work mobile phone was always turned on, as per the discussion with management in August 2025 for emergency updates, though its functionality has been limited due to the glitch. Instead of reporting the fault to HFZC as required, he admitted he had attempted to fix the phone himself a direct breach of the equipment policy.
HFZC’s policy is unambiguous: any equipment issues must be reported immediately to management and the IT technician. Staff and volunteers are strictly prohibited from attempting self-repair.
*Initial Investigation*
On 10 September 2025, HFZC technician Mr Simba was instructed to meet with Mr Moyo to assess the situation. His feedback was troubling.
The phone was found dead, not turning on, and the back panel was loose, indicating that the device had been opened. When asked about the state of the phone, Mr Moyo responded vaguely, saying only that it “just stopped working.” His failure to report the malfunction and his attempt to conceal or fix the problem raised suspicions of misuse. HFZC instructed Mr Simba to take the phone for professional inspection and possible repair.
*Independent Technician’s Findings.*
On 11 September 2025, the phone was taken to DOC Cellphones and Accessories. After opening the device, the technician provided a damning report:
- Eight screws that normally hold the back panel in place were missing.
- The internal components showed evidence that hot air had been blown into the phone a botched repair attempt.
- The motherboard and other parts were burnt black from mishandling, leaving the phone completely destroyed.
-The device would require full brand replacement as HFZC cannot continue using a damaged phone due to the nature of our work.
-The technician’s report, provided in the presence of HFZC’s IT officer, confirmed deliberate tampering and improper handling.
-Images of the damaged phone were sent to HFZC management for documentation.
*Policy and Legal Implications*
The matter goes beyond a simple equipment failure. Under both HFZC policy and Zimbabwean law, this case may constitute:
-Gross Misconduct: Failure to report malfunctioning equipment, tampering, and breach of trust.
-Criminal Damage to Property: Intentionally or recklessly damaging property belonging to another without lawful excuse, a criminal offence punishable by fines or imprisonment.
HFZC has made it clear that its mission cannot be undermined by negligence or dishonesty within its ranks.
*Mr Moyo’s History with HFZC*
Mr Moyo first wrote to HFZC on 01 January 2024, expressing his desire to volunteer without any expectation of financial reward or monetary gain. He described his passion for helping marginalized communities in Epworth, where he and his peers were already engaged in small acts of kindness. His heartfelt message caught the attention of HFZC’s founder, who was touched by his commitment and even sent him a US$50 token of support for his community work with the Social Battalion team a charity entity that Mr Moyo claimed to have founded and working with in Epworth communities to help the needy. On 01 August 2024, HFZC officially brought Mr Moyo on board as a paid volunteer, receiving financial allowances despite him having offered to work with no financial reward, later elevating him to a team leader role. This history makes the current misconduct all the more disappointing and a great betrayal, as Mr Moyo has failed to uphold the very values he once embraced.
What makes this case even more troubling is Mr Moyo’s personal and professional background. He holds a Diploma in Leadership, a qualification that ought to have reinforced integrity, responsibility, and trustworthiness. Yet, his actions stand in stark contradiction to the principles he is trained in.
As disciplinary proceedings against Mr Moyo move forward, HFZC is forced to confront a broader and more painful reality, in a nation where vulnerable children and communities desperately need its work, the organization continues to safeguard its values, strengthen internal controls, and secure reliable partnerships and continue to bring all culprits to book or risk seeing its mission and vision compromised from within.
*Mr Thulani Moyo's report*
He has since written and submitted a report as per formal request by management and HFZC procedures. His report contradicts the findings by the technician . Mr Moyo doesn't mention that he opened the back of the phone despite the fact that the technician found 8 back screws missing and tampering with the phone blowing air into it.
*The Way Forward*
HFZC will initiate a formal disciplinary process. Mr Moyo will be served with a Notice of Disciplinary Hearing, which outlines the charges against him. The potential outcomes of the hearing include:
-A formal written warning,
-Termination of his volunteer engagement,
-Recovery of costs for the damaged phone and other related costs,
-Replacement with a brand new phone of the same model.
-Referral to the authorities for criminal prosecution if need be.
The situation is further compounded by a recent drawback involving another senior figure. In February 2025, HFZC’s Health Coordinator, Mr Nyasha Chingono, a university graduate in Public Health, was arrested and charged with theft of trust property after misappropriating US$750. The funds were meant to secure a borehole deposit at HFZC’s Checheche, Chipinge site, earmarked for a vital feeding program and orphanage project. Mr Chingono admitted to receiving the money on 01 February 2025 but claimed to have lost it witin two days on 03February 2025. In court, he further confessed to being a serial gambler. To date, none of the money has been recovered, and the case remains before the courts.
These successive incidents are not just breaches of policy but they strike at the very heart of HFZC’s mission and credibility. An organization founded on HOPE and the TRUTHA principles — Trust, Responsibility, Understanding, Transparency, Honesty, and Accountability cannot afford to have its integrity undermined by internal misconduct.
*HFZC’s Commitment to Integrity*
The organisation reaffirmed that this action is not about punishment alone but about protecting the integrity of HFZC’s mission and the trust of donors, beneficiaries, and communities. The Equipment and Usage Policy, rooted in HFZC’s HOPE philosophy and TRUTHA principles, is in place to ensure that all resources are managed responsibly. Every staff member and volunteer is reminded that accountability is not optional but central to HFZC’s identity and operations.HFZC will continue to take decisive action whenever its principles are compromised, ensuring that its work with vulnerable children and communities remains above reproach.
*Conclusion*
For HFZC, the problem is not confined to one individual. As a self-funding charity already operating under tight constraints, the organization has repeatedly raised concerns that it is struggling to find honest and professional staff/volunteers in Zimbabwe to work with. A pattern of deeply troubling behaviour has emerged among local recruits , ranging from failure to follow even basic instructions, unprofessional communication, unprofessional behaviour and intentional refusal to submit expenditure receipts, to other acts of insubordination that show disregard for normal work ethics. Multiple Zimbabwean volunteers highlight the scale of the crisis. Thus the leadership has openly admitted that finding honest, professional volunteers in Zimbabwe remains one of its greatest challenges.
In March 2024, two paid volunteers, Mr Tendekai and Ms Wadzanai, were dismissed for acute unprofessionalism and insubordination. Despite receiving US$100 per week in allowances, free accommodation, free food, and transport, both failed to meet the minimum expectations of professionalism. Their dismissal, though regrettable, was necessary to protect HFZC’s standards and mission.
Now, the organisation faces the bitter reality that even Mr Moyo, once seen as a promising young leader with a passion for community work, has fallen short of expectations. His misconduct is particularly painful considering that he originally joined HFZC in January 2024, volunteering without expectation of financial benefit. Touched by his dedication, HFZC went beyond his request and began paying him allowances in August 2024. He was later promoted to team leader a role that demanded integrity and example-setting. Instead, his actions have left HFZC questioning his leadership, honesty, responsibility and reliability.
HFZC has vowed to continue strengthening its systems, enforcing its policies without compromise, and holding every member, whether staff, volunteer, or beneficiary, accountable to the highest ethical standards.
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Hope for Zimbabwe Children
A source of hope
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