MDC chairman Joubert Mudzumwe allegedly stole US$41 000 from his employer, the Commercial Workers Union of Zimbabwe. Mudzumwe (46), of the MDC formation led by Professor Arthur Mutambara, is the CWUZ secretary general.

He is alleged to have connived with his deputy John Chifamba (56) and a messenger Tafirenyika Mushonga (56) to steal the money from the union which they allegedly shared among themselves.

They were not asked to plead to theft charges when they appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma.

They were remanded to December 5 on US$100 bail each.

Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira told the court that during the period from October 2011 to November 2012, Mudzumwe connived with his accomplices and stole money from the union's CBZ bank account.

The court heard that Mudzumwe is one of the signatories to the account.

It is alleged that Mudzumwe and the financial director, Felistas Hwazulu who is still at large, withdrew cash without the authority of the union's president and the national executive council members.

The court also heard that Chifamba ordered regional offices from Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, and Masvingo to deposit the union's funds into Mushonga's personal account.

They would withdraw the money and share it.