Kasukuwere moves to douse Masvingo flames

By Blessings Mashaya

As Zanu PF succession wars continue festering in the restive and deeply divided province of Masvingo, the party’s combative political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere is this week expected to attend the region’s inter-district meetings in a move widely seen as attempt to douse the all consuming factional flames.

While Kasukuwere was not immediately available for comment, the political commissar for Masvingo province Jappy Jaboon yesterday confirmed to the Daily News that he will be visiting the province ostensibly to strengthen the party — which has been weakened by factional fights pitting supporters of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa and those opposed to his presidential ambitions.

“Yes the political commissar (Kasukuwere) is attending our meetings which start on Thursday. We are doing these meetings in order to strengthen our party ahead of 2018.

“We are also going to update our district structures on the current status of the party,” said Jaboon.

Masvingo province has been the epicentre of Zanu PF succession fights and even though Kasukuwere recently suspended one of Mnangagwa allies, Ezra Chadzamira from the position of chairperson and replaced him with Amasi Nenjana, the party is far from being united with parallel structures being set up.

For instance, the stark divisions were manifested in February at President Robert Mugabe’s birthday bash when Chadzamira was listed on the programme to give welcome remarks in his capacity as the provincial chairperson, notwithstanding the fact that he had been expelled.

Then Mnangagwa’s allies were left with egg on their face after Kasukuwere thwarted their machinations.

After the suspension of Chadzamira, Mnangagwa loyalists who also include politburo member and MP for Gutu South Lovemore Matuke accused Kasukuwere of abusing his position as the political commissar.

Former politburo member Paul Mangwana also backed Chadzamira saying Kasukuwere should form his own party. Kasukuwere is also set to visit the Midlands province to try and unite warring factions in Mnangagwa’s backyard. Daily News