Didymus Mutasa's links to Mugabe assassination dominates Politburo meeting

THE Zanu-PF constitution will be amended to ensure there is only one centre of power in the ruling party, with President Mugabe appointing all Politburo members, including the two Vice-Presidents and Second Secretaries and National Chair.

This came out of the Politburo meeting that started yesterday afternoon and ended in the wee hours of Sunday. A majority of Politburo members also called for the arrest of all people linked to the treasonous allegations of plotting to assassinate President Mugabe.

The 10-hour meeting adopted proposed amendments to Zanu-PF's constitution, though these are to be fine-tuned for presentation to the Central Committee in the course of the week.

The Politburo also upheld the suspension of all provincial leaders save for three in Harare. National Youth League executive members will also serve their suspensions.

Insiders who went in and out of the meeting said that Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa's links to the alleged assassination plot dominated proceedings, with most Politburo members applying much pressure that he and his reported co-conspirators face the wrath of the law.

Sources said: "The issue was discussed for a long time. Some members were adamant that we need to show teeth and punish him and his accomplices for their misdeeds. A few said the matter should be handled by the Congress."

Mutasa came under particular scrutiny because of the key offices he holds in the party and Government, where he is Presidential Affairs Minister and should never be associated with allegations relating to treason.

Several Politburo members, our sources said, pointed out that in other countries the seriousness of these allegations would have already led to swift police action and they were surprised that the ZRP had been quiet about this matter. In his briefing, Zanu-PF national chair and acting spokesperson Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo told journalists that the Politburo adopted proposed amendments to the party's constitution.

He did not state the amendments or field questions, but sources said the major one related to the President and First Secretary having the right to determine all appointments to the Politburo so as to avoid creation of multiple centres of power.

At present, the two VPs, National Chair, top six Women's League officials and Youth League deputy secretary are elected into the Politburo directly; a situation critics have said can leave them without any allegiance to the President resulting in creation of factions.

Ambassador Khaya Moyo said the amendments would be tabled before the Central Committee for adoption.

"After extensive and fruitful discussions, a number of amendments were adopted and forwarded to the Central Committee. We will not be able to give you details of these far-reaching amendments until we have reported to the Central Committee and the Central Committee has endorsed it."

Ambassador Khaya Moyo said the Politburo upheld the suspension of provincial chairs Ray Kaukonde (Mashonaland East), John Mvundura (Manicaland) and Luke Mushore (Mashonaland Central).

Harare Women's League deputy chair Mirriam Chikukwa, Harare Youth League chair Godwin Gomwe and provincial women's league political commissar Susan Chuma had their suspensions overturned.

Torongo Torongo and Tongai Nheta's case of fanning factionalism was set aside.

A team led by Sydney Sekeramayi and Obert Mpofu was charged to resolve factional disputes in Bulawayo while the vote of no confidence in six provincial youth league members was upheld.

On Congress preparations, Ambassador Khaya Moyo said: "The Politburo noted that the preparations are proceeding according to plan. The chairpersons of the 10 co-ordinating committees presented reports that were recorded by the Politburo. "As the Politburo meets next week, we will make sure that the Congress venue will be ready."