Zanu-PF infighting claims first scalp

The Zanu-PF Mashonaland West Provincial Youth League executive on Saturday suspended its chair, Vengai Musengi, on allegations of misusing party funds - though the youth leader immediately dismissed the decision as unconstitutional.

Musengi and his deputy, Joseph Nyariri, were suspended after the executive met in Chinhoyi and agreed with the main provincial committee led by Temba Mliswa that the two were also behind leaking a classified letter to the media.

The executive immediately co-opted Dominic Muza and Malvin Kanhamo as substantive chair and deputy, respectively.

However, there were indications from Politburo members in the province that the youths did not form a quorum until they "co-opted" new executives and thus the whole procedure breached Zanu-PF constitution.

Musengi also said the meeting did not constitute a quorum. He said Mliswa hastily organised the "improperly constituted" gathering to bar him from briefing President Mugabe on the goings-on in Mashonaland West when the First Secretary returns from his State visit to China.

However Zanu-PF Mashonaland West youth spokesperson Mernard Waneke said the meeting constituted a quorum.