Youth Affairs Minister Tino Machakaire has received backing from the General Chiwenga Voluntary Supporters Association (GCVSA) amid the controversy surrounding the reshuffle of the Zanu-PF Youth League National Executive Council.
Machakaire announced changes to the Youth Council departmental leadership, effective December 9, 2024. He said the reshuffle aimed to expedite the implementation of resolutions adopted at the National People’s Conference held in October.
Notably, these resolutions include extending President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028, when his second and final term is set to expire.
Machakaire emphasised that the adjustments would enhance the Youth League’s ability to fulfil its constitutional obligations and execute the conference resolutions diligently.
The reshuffle has led to new appointments, with Tsungai Makumbe appointed as Secretary for Finance, Phineas Makombe as Commissariat Secretary, Phillipa Makoko as External Relations Secretary, Munashe Mtutsa as Information Secretary, Valeria Makonza as Legal Affairs Secretary, and Garikai Zonde as Science and Technology Secretary.
The GCVSA, a group supporting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s potential presidential bid, has thrown its weight behind Machakaire’s actions, describing the reshuffle as a “bold and necessary step” to restore discipline and focus within the party’s youth structures.
Machakaire’s deputy, John Paradza, in a letter dated December 10, 2024, declared the reshuffle null and void, citing a lack of due process.
He reminded Machakaire that the affected comrades were elected into the National Executive, and their mandate was ratified by the National Youth League Conference of 2022. Paradza instructed the affected comrades to remain in their positions until further notice.
Machakaire swiftly responded, rebuking Paradza for questioning his authority. He asserted that as Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs, Paradza had no basis to censure his actions.
Machakaire claimed to have obtained guidance from President Mnangagwa and cited specific articles of the party’s constitution to justify the reshuffle.
Machakaire demanded that Paradza withdraw his letter, threatening disciplinary action if he failed to comply.
“In the circumstances, your much circulated and published correspondence contesting the communicated position is irregular and must be withdrawn forthwith, failing which the appropriate measures shall be set in motion,” Machakaire stated.
The rift between the two youth leaders has exposed deepening divisions within Zanu-PF, with some members backing President Mnangagwa’s potential third term bid, while others support VP Chiwenga’s presidential ambitions.
GCVSA has also condemned Paradza’s resistance to the reshuffle, accusing him of advancing a “selfish agenda” to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the divisive and disruptive antics of Cde John Paradza, who has shown himself to be nothing more than an errand boy for the 2030 agenda, advancing a selfish agenda to extend or amend the country’s constitution. His allegiance to a tired and fading agenda has no place in a movement built on revolutionary values.
“Let it be clear: Paradza’s actions do not serve the interests of ZANU PF or the people of Zimbabwe but rather those of a select elite desperate to cling to power.
“His betrayal of party structures and principles is unacceptable, and we call upon the Secretary General. Cde Dr. Obert .M. Mpofu, to suspend Paradza immediately for sowing seeds of disunity,” the association stated.
Machakaire, who is Mnangagwa’s appointee, has been accused of purging Paradza loyalists in a bid to dilute his elected deputy’s influence.
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