Zanu-PF youths grab suspended chairman's vehicle

ZANU-PF youths in Bulawayo yesterday took away the official vehicle which suspended provincial chairman Isaac Dakamela was using.

Dakamela was suspended by the party's Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) on Sunday.

The PCC passed a vote of no confidence in Dakamela at a meeting attended by about 100 members, including 14 Central Committee members. They accused him, among other things, of defying the party.

A group of youths gathered at the party's provincial headquarters Davies Hall yesterday morning where they first strategised on how they could take away the vehicle, a green Toyota Hilux and its keys from the "ousted" chairman.

This reporter was monitoring the situation at the party offices.

Dakamela was in his office where he said he was compiling minutes about previous meetings and writing his report about the developments in the province with the intention of taking it to the party's headquarters in Harare.

The vehicle was not parked at the party's offices at the time as Dakamela's driver had reportedly driven to the city centre to refuel in preparation for the journey to Harare to present the report.

At about 12 noon, the driver returned on foot, saying he left the vehicle "somewhere in town" and went to Cde Dakamela's office.

After learning that the vehicle was parked near Jabulani Flats, just behind the party offices along Basch Street, the youths waited patiently like a wild animal waiting for its prey, for an opportunity to get the keys.

At about 1pm, they organised and stormed into Dakamela's office where they demanded that he surrenders the keys.

Dakamela tried to argue with them but the youths started shouting on top of their voices, saying they wanted the keys.

"The way we took these keys from others is the same way we are taking them from you. All we want are the car keys and you can solve your issues. We have been patient enough and this cannot continue," said one youth member.

Another party official, who was in the office, intervened and said the keys would not be "given to strangers", much to the chagrin of the youths who shouted on top of their voices, saying they were not strangers in the party.

"You cannot say we are strangers, who are strangers? Youths are powerful in the party. Jacob Zuma is in trouble with youths now because they are a powerful body in a party," shouted another youth.

Dakamela had to leave his office to another office but the group followed him and one of them snatched the keys from his hand.

A group of about eight youths then toyi-toyed to where the vehicle was parked.

They unlocked it and drove away while singing revolutionary songs.

Contacted for comment, Dakamela said he was not moved by the decision maintaining he remained the chairman.

Dakamela promised to deal with the "rowdy" youths accusing them of being used by "some people" in the party against him.

"The youths should stay out of issues that do not concern them. If they continue like that, we will deal with them as a party because we are trying to prepare for elections. Meetings are called by the chairman and whoever would have wanted the meeting whether they liked me or not, should have called it through me," said Dakamela.

Killian Sibanda, who the PCC elevated to the position of acting chairman, said they had sent a report to the national chairman, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo.

Zanu-PF National Secretary for Education Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu yesterday threw his weight behind Dakamela.

He ordered the youths to return the car or face the wrath of law.

"That meeting and decision is not effective until it is confirmed by the Politburo. Dakamela remains chairman," said Dr Ndlovu.

"This time is critical because the party is preparing for elections and no-one should be allowed to put it into disrepute. There should be order and unity among the people of Bulawayo so that we concentrate on elections and the chairman should remain chairman until proven otherwise by the Politburo."

Dr Ndlovu said Dakamela should be allowed to defend himself on the allegations.

"We have told them to return the car and if they do not do so, that will be implemented by the police. No-one should take the law into their own hands and we have informed the police so that there should be peace and order," he said.

Bulawayo provincial youth chairman Butho Gatsi said the youths would stick to the PCC decision.

"We have parked the car at the offices, you can check any time and you will find it there. We stand by the decision to suspend Dakamela because it was made by the PCC," said Cde Gatsi.