Mutsvangwa booted out

HARARE – The vicious infighting within Zanu PF has claimed another scalp after the party’s Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating Committee passed a vote of no confidence in Chris Mutsvangwa and recommended that he be expelled from the party and be recalled from parliament.

The War Veterans Minister is paying the price of appearing to have insulted President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace when he told a private weekly newspaper;

“We will always respect the institution of marriage and he’s confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the State.”

The remarks have been interpreted to mean President Mugabe is allowing his wife too much power to influence decisions in the party and government.

On Monday the vice chairman of Zanu PF’s Mashonaland West province, Keith Guzah made the announcement that Mutsvangwa had been removed.

Charges against Mutsvangwa include undermining the authority of the President by questioning the appointment of the current National Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere and insulting the First Family.

The vote of no confidence by the province comes a few days after President Robert Mugabe told delegates at the 15th annual National People’s Conference that votes of no confidence and recommendations for expulsion should only be held after thorough internal consultations.

Guzah could not justify how the act is not against what the President said in Victoria Falls.

Contacted for comment, Mutsvangwa said: “I am aware of what the President said about votes of no confidence, I cannot qualify or subtract what he said. I respect my President and I am a loyal cadre of the party.”

The move to remove Mutsvangwa is seen as part of the wider succession battle to succeed the ailing Mugabe. The outspoken Mutsvangwa is a key ally of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while the Generation 40 (G40) faction angling to remove him, are trying to propel First Lady Grace Mugabe to be president instead.