Andrew Langa next on the Zanu-PF firing line

Zanu-PF Midlands chairperson Jason Machaya was on Sunday kicked out of office after the party's executive passed a vote of no confidence in him, becoming the fourth provincial leader to be booted out in less than a month.

More provincial chairpersons are expected to be kicked out of office ahead of Zanu-PF's elective congress in Harare next month as infighting in the party intensified along factional lines. Matabeleland South chairperson Andrew Langa is reported to be next on the firing line.

Machaya was shown the door at a meeting in Gweru for alleged failure to quell factionalism in the province and uphold the party constitution by not convening meetings as scheduled, among other damning charges.

During the meeting, 36 members out of 44 present passed the vote of no confidence in Machaya.

The motion to push out Machaya was raised by Cornelius Mupereri, the provincial secretary for information and publicity, and seconded by Prosper Machando, youth vice-chairperson.

Kizito Chivamba, who was Machaya's deputy, is now the acting chairperson until fresh polls are held to choose a substantive head.

"As a chairperson, he has failed to convene meetings on a monthly basis, holding only three meetings to date," said Mupereri.

"He also was fanning factionalism and divisions in the province, violating article 12 and not attending constitutionally sanctioned provincial rallies in violation of section12 (2) (95) and blatantly chairing kangaroo meetings purporting to be co-ordinating committee

and as chairperson, he  failed to attend provincial rallies sanctioned by the PCC in violation of article 12 (192)."

Machaya became the fourth Zanu-PF chairperson to be shown the exit door after First Lady Grace Mugabe, publicly declared that some party chairpersons must go for working with Vice-President Joice Mujuru's faction to oust President Robert Mugabe. Mujuru has since denied ambitions to topple President Mugabe.

During her whirlwind "meet the people" rallies across the country, the First Lady hinted that a number of provincial chairpersons were working to destroy the party and first to be a casualty was Themba Mliswa of Mashonaland West.

Killian Gwanetsa, the Masvingo provincial chair, was booted out and his deputy, Patrick Chakona, assumed the chairmanship in an acting capacity.

After Masvingo, the winds of change in Zanu-PF landed in Harare where Amos Midzi, the provincial chair, was shown the red card with his deputy Christopher Chigumba taking over.

When reached for comment, Machaya who had already left the meeting when the vote of no confidence was passed, confirmed that he had been booted out, saying he will respect the decision of the executive, but would have to wait to see if the politburo would endorse his ouster.

"It's true that a motion has been passed for me to step down and I did accept. But the politburo is the one that will decide," said Machaya.

According to party insiders, next on the firing line is Langa, who is also accused of promoting factionalism and division in the province.

The wind of change, according to sources, would also visit Manicaland where chairperson John Mvundura could be forced out.

The only province that is likely not to see any disturbance before congress is Matabeleland North.