By Levi Mukarati and Kuda Bwititi
Zanu-PF Mashonaland East has recommended the immediate expulsion of three legislators and three suspended provincial executive members for allegedly supporting former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s People First party.
On Saturday, the provincial executive met in Marondera, resolving to have the party boot out National Assembly members Tendayi Makunde (Murehwa North), Tapiwa Mhona (Chikomba Central) and Washington Musvaire (Marambapfungwe).
Taurai Pasirayi, Boniface Mutiza and George Katsande – who are serving suspensions for fanning factionalism – face the same fate. The meeting also resolved that “further investigations” be conducted on the activities of two other legislators, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa and Phineas Chihota.
Mashonaland East provincial chairman Joel Biggie Matiza said that the expulsions were proposed at provincial council and co-ordinating committee meetings. The recommendations have been forwarded to Zanu-PF’s National Disciplinary Committee.
“We had two crucial meetings at provincial level that is the Provincial Council and PCC, and the final decision was that some Members of Parliament were advancing People First politics. So, we recommended their expulsion,” said Matiza.
“The three are Musvaire, Mhona and Makunde. We have also recommended the expulsion of three other suspended former provincial executive members who are Taurai Pasirayi, Boniface Mutiza and George Katsande who are facing the same charges as the legislators.”
He added: “These recommendations were reached after consideration that if people are now with People First, then why should they want to be with us?
“We are Zanu-PF and they are People First, which means we are two separate political groups. The recommendations will become effective once they have been approved at national level.”
This comes after Zanu-PF Mashonaland West passed a no confidence vote in the party’s deputy secretary for war veterans in the Politburo, Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa.
At the party’s 15th Annual National People’s Conference in Victoria Falls about two weeks ago, President Mugabe told delegates that votes of no confidence and recommendations for expulsion should only be reached after thorough internal consultations.
He also called for unity in the party.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Ignatius Chombo said votes of no confidence passed after conference will be considered at the next Politburo meeting.
“It should be understood that we follow what the President tells us, and we are guided by him as he is the First Secretary and President of the Party,” he said.
“As such, on those votes of no confidence, I cannot give an official comment suffice to say that there are procedures and processes in the party and these give very clear provisions.
“So, in line with this procedure, we will only talk of the reports from the provinces after we have deliberated on those issues as the Politburo.” The Sunday Mail
