People expelled or suspended from Zanu-PF last week can appeal to the Central Committee, party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
Accused persons first appear before a disciplinary committee whose report should capture all sides of the story. That report is then presented to the National Disciplinary Committee, which in turn makes recommendations to the Politburo.
Article 10:68 of Zanu-PF’s constitution says, “The Central Committee may, on appeal or review, confirm, amend or reverse the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee.”
Last Thursday, Zanu-PF suspended Deputy Secretary for War Veterans Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, his wife Monica Mutsvangwa, and Women’s League Secretary for Administration Esphina Nhari for three years for “gross misconduct and disloyalty”.
Provincial youth chairpersons Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Khumbulani Mpofu (the Midlands) and Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North) were expelled for indiscipline and misconduct.
Also expelled were leaders of Zanu-PF affiliates:
Tonderai Chidawa (Zicosu), Norest Makururu (Youths in Mining), Collin Machingura (Youths in Farming), Memory Masengu (Youth Against Sanctions), Absolom Madusure (National Youth Service), Gabriel Togarepi (Ziliwaco Trust) and Innocent Mhlanga (Children of War Veterans); and party members Ms Rosiwita Chinyaure and T Bhasera.
Some of them have protested their suspensions/expulsions informally.
Khaya Moyo said: “During one of the last Politburo meetings we held last year, we resolved that disciplinary action should now be conducted in a standardised way.
“The President also made it clear that any accused persons should be allowed to defend themselves and have right of appeal. The idea is that we are not just kicking people out of the party without due procedure. This is why we are having members coming to defend themselves first before any action is taken against them.”
He added, “(Expelled/suspended members) are free to appeal to the Central Committee. This is what the (party) constitution says. They can also appeal to Congress, which is the highest decision-making body of the party. This is also in line with our constitution.”
