By Regis Chingawo
Zanu PF secretary for information Rugare Gumbo on Monday insisted that ‘ousted’ Masvingo provincial chairperson, retired brigadier Killian Gwanetsa, is still in charge despite the vote of no confidence passed on him last week.
Gwanetsa was booted out after at least 70 Zanu PF district members passed a vote of no confidence in him following allegations of factionalism, abuse of power and setting up parallel structures, among a host of other vices.
The disgruntled party members then appointed Paradzai Chakona, previously Gwanetsa’s deputy, as interim chairperson.
However, Gwanetsa dismissed the vote of no confidence passed on him as a non-entity, insisting that he was yet to receive a communication from the politburo to that effect.
Gwanetsa on Saturday convened a provincial executive meeting in Masvingo that passed a vote of no confidence on Chakona.
On Sunday, violence broke out when youths disrupted a special provincial meeting chaired by politburo member, Dzikamai Mavhaire.
The skirmishes occurred when Mavhaire introduced Gwanetsa as the chairperson of the province, forcing politburo members, who included Mavhaire, Josiah Hungwe, Michael Mawema and Otila Maluleke to flee for their lives.
Gwanetsa declined to comment on the violence and his position in the party, referring questions to Gumbo, national chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo and the national commissar, Webster Shamu.
“I cannot comment on the latest developments in the province…why don’t you get hold of Shamu, Gumbo or Moyo,” said Gwanetsa.
Gumbo said Gwanetsa was still the chairperson of the province.
“I have not been fully briefed on the situation on the ground in Masvingo but from what we have heard, yes, Gwanetsa is still the party’s provincial chairperson,” said Gumbo.
Gwanetsa was reportedly quoted in the press saying Zanu PF in Masvingo province should endorse President Robert Mugabe as the First secretary, Mujuru as the deputy and Khaya Moyo as the second vice-president, drawing an array of accusations from other party members.
Gumbo and Gwanetsa are reportedly in vice president Mujuru’s camp as Zanu PF is allegedly divided into two factions, with the other being led by Justice minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In the last politburo meeting, President Mugabe said he was aware that the party was divided along factional lines and that he would set up a commission to look into the issues and also investigate corruption allegations levelled against the VP by First Lady, Grace Mugabe. The Zimbabwe Mail