Push for elections in Masvingo
By Blessings Mashaya
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies in Masvingo are reportedly pushing for an election of a new provincial executive in a bid to dislodge the current one dominated by members of the rival Generation 40 (G40) faction.
According to sources, Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa raised concern about the current executive and pushed a motion to hold an election during last Sunday’s provincial coordinating committee meeting.
“Mahofa said the current executive has failed hence there is need for an election. Many party members who attended the meeting agreed with Mahofa and resolved to hold elections after the conference,” said the source, which preferred anonymity.
Contacted for comment, Psychomotor minister Josiah Hungwe — viewed as a Mnangagwa ally in the province — said “zvakanguri zvataugwa izvo (it has since been said).”
Efforts to get comment from Masvingo Zanu PF chairperson, Amassi Nenjana, were fruitless.
Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, a close Mnangagwa ally said jostling for positions in their camp has already started in the province, adding that plans were to hold the election after Zanu PF’s annual conference in December.
“We are all preparing for the elections,” the source said.
The source added that Team Lacoste (Mnangagwa faction) was stepping up its counter-offensive strategy against the G40, which is rabidly opposed to the Midlands godfather succeeding President Robert Mugabe.
According to the source, it is believed that Team Lacoste camp has realised that the only solution to win factional wars against their opponents is only through elections.
“It’s now time to fight back even harder. We are now prepared to regain Masvingo province.”
The development comes after Zanu PF Masvingo province treasurer Killer Zivhu indicated that he is eyeing the provincial chairperson post.
G40 members accused Zivhu of being used by Mnangagwa’s allies who want to dislodge the current provincial executive members.
The latest move by Team Lacoste is a counter measure against the G40 faction which has been in charge of the province.
Masvingo has witnessed some of the ugliest factional battles which have seen some of the party’s bigwigs dissenting on the province in a bid to stop the fights.
Even Mugabe went to Masvingo in an effort to douse the factional wars but however, the fights have continued to ravage the ruling party. Daily News
