Mujuru fires Matonga for alleged spying
By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
Opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader, Joice Mujuru, has reportedly sacked Bright Matonga, a top party official, for alleged spying.
Local private media reports indicated on Tuesday that Matonga was suspected of snooping on ZimPF for the army and a Zanu PF faction led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Matonga has been unusually quiet since the beginning of the year and was said to have received the boot a few weeks ago.
“Matonga was expelled a few weeks ago after being accused of being a spy for the military and especially for a faction of Zanu PF associated with Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” a ZimPF unnamed source was quoted saying.
Newsday talked to Matonga but he would neither deny nor confirm his expulsion.
“You got me at a wrong time. I am at a funeral,” he reportedly said.
ZimPF spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire, confirmed that Matonga, who sought spiritual refuge at the United Family International Church (UFIC) after running over a person whose spirit was reportedly haunting him, had for some time been absent from party gatherings.
“What I can only confirm is that he has been conspicuously absent from all the provincial rallies held by the president and other official party meetings, but I have not inquired from him to ascertain why he has not been able to attend any one of the rallies or official party meetings,” said Mawarire.
Matonga has a fraud case hanging over his head from the time he was the chief executive officer at the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).
Many expected that Matonga would take charge of the ZimPF information and publicity portfolio after Rugare Gumbo withdrew to the background.
Mawarire was a surprise replacement for Gumbo after ZimPF initially indicated that the position would be held by Methuseli Moyo, a development that many believed indicated all was not well within the party hierarchy.
Gumbo is said to be on his way out of the party while another party stalwart, Didymus Mutasa is understood to be at loggerheads with Mujuru who prefers untainted leaders in the ranks. Nehanda Radio
