Chigwedere, Matiza head for showdown

Zanu-PF factionalism has reared its ugly head in Mashonaland East Province where interim chairman Aeneas Chigwedere and his deputy Biggie Matiza have crossed swords over the chairman's post and publicly dressed down each other.

The tension between the two politicians escalated last Tuesday after a group of war veterans and other members of the interim executive team passed a vote-of-no-confidence on Chigwedere accusing him of fanning divisions and failing to organise regular party meetings.

They replaced him with Matiza, but Chigwedere refused to budge arguing that his demotion was unprocedural before Zanu-PF national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere came to his rescue and reversed the province's decision.

On Friday, a group of Marondera war veterans and youths sympathetic to Chigwedere demonstrated against Matiza, who is also Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister, accusing him of fuelling disunion in the party.

It was a peaceful demonstration where the youths were registering their support for Chigwedere, protest organiser Handsome Mushayavanhu said.

A top Zanu-PF official privy to the development said it was feared that the acrimony between Matiza and Chigwedere had stalled party business.