By Brenna Matendere Munyati
Zanu (PF) officials reportedly aligned to Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa boycotted a weekend meeting to tackle factionalism convened by national political commissar Webster Shamu.
The problems emanate from the December 9 provincial internal elections where incumbent chairman Jaison Machaya, believed to belong to the Mujuru faction, controversially handed a shock defeat to Mnangagwa’s ally Larry Mavhima, who claimed there had been vote-rigging, vote-buying and undue influence by chiefs on voters against him.
Zanu (PF) then filled secretarial posts for various portfolios that had not been originally put to vote. The exercise was again contested – this time by the Machaya group. They argued that the Mnangagwa faction had unprocedurally ensured ascendency of its sympathizers into various posts so as to dilute Machaya’s power.
Among the notable absentees from the Mnangagwa camp were the Chiundura legislator, Kizito Chivamba, who was retained as deputy chairperson of the main wing, secretary for the commissariat, Makhosini Hlongwane, who is also the Mberengwa East MP and Owen Ncube, the secretary for security who also doubles as MP for Gokwe-Kana.
Ncube, popularly known as Mudha, is a former aid of Mnangagwa as they both hail from Kwekwe. Other Mnangagwa allies, Elina Shirichena, the provincial Women’s Assembly chairperson, and youth league chairperson, Edmore Samambwa also stayed away.
Stunned by the development, Shamu told those present, including Machaya, that he would report back to the Politburo for a decision.
“Factionalism is destroying the party. What we are going to be doing from now is go down to the cells and districts and find out what is really happening. We will have to fight this right from the bottom. So we shall be visiting cell by cell, district by district and the findings will be given to the presidium,” he said.
“People are beginning to speak their minds and be truthful on what really is going on so we should be able to tackle the issue,” added Shamu. The Zimbabwean
