Jabulani Sibanda turns to farming after Zanu-PF expulsion

Former war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda yesterday said he would turn to farming as he ponders his next move following his expulsion from Zanu-PF announced by the politburo on Thursday.

The Zanu-PF politburo on Thursday expelled Sibanda and suspended national spokesperson Rugare Gumbo for five years.

Chipinge South legislator and Central Committee member Enoch Porusingazi was also suspended for five years.

The politburo also upheld the votes of no confidence passed on provincial chairmen Kalisto Gwanetsa (Masvingo), Amos Midzi (Harare), Jason Machaya (Midlands) and Andrew Langa (Matabeleland South).

Manicaland provincial chairman John Shumba Mvundura was issued with a written reprimand. The politburo also upheld the no confidence vote passed on Masvingo Women's league chairperson, Shylet Uyoyo and the province's youth league chairperson, Oliver Huruva.

Another vote of no confidence passed on Tongai Mangoma, another Youth league official in Masvingo was also upheld while the national disciplinary committee said it was also seized with Harare Youth league provincial chairperson, Godwin Gomwe's case.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Sibanda said:

"I'm going to sit home, there's nothing I can do. Ngizahamba ngiyelima. I can't comment much now because I've read about the matter in the papers and haven't received formal communication from the party."

Sibanda was two weeks ago expelled by the war veterans' council of elders for suggesting that the First Family wanted to carry out a "bedroom coup" on Vice President Joice Mujuru.

Commenting on their dismissal, Matabeleland South chairperson Langa and his counterparts, Machaya of Midlands and Gwanetsa of Masvingo said they accepted the move to uphold the vote of no confidence passed by their respective provinces.

Langa, whose province accused him of aligning himself with a faction bent on unseating President Mugabe, said he accepted the decision to uphold a vote of no confidence passed against him on Monday. He said he would remain loyal to the party.

"I'm not going to appeal. I accept the decision by the highest body of the party to uphold my suspension. I still remain a loyal party cadre. I will continue working hard for my party," said Langa, who was also accused of undermining the First Lady, Grace Mugabe and sabotaging her Gwanda rally last month.

"I will support whoever will be elevated to take up the position. What is important is to make the province stronger than it was. It is the responsibility of every party cadre to ensure that we remain united and strong."

Gwanetsa, accused of fanning factionalism in Masvingo province declined to comment on the matter saying, "This is a good question but I'm not allowed to talk to the Press. I still remain a loyal cadre to the party but the best person to talk to is our national chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo."

Ousted Midlands provincial chairperson Machaya said he accepted the decision to uphold his vote of no confidence.

"I respect the decision taken by the party. I still remain a loyal member of the party. I will serve my party in whatever capacity. I belong to the National Consultative Assembly (NCA) so I will continue serving my party as assigned," he said.

Contacted for comment by our Harare correspondent, Gumbo said he was not going to speak on the matter since he was no longer the party spokesperson following the appointment of national chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo to double up as acting party spokesperson.

"Why don't you speak to the spokesperson of the party, I am no longer the party spokesperson," he said. "I don't have any view on that."