Mzembi face Zanu-PF expulsion

THE Zanu-PF leadership in Masvingo has recommended the suspension of Central Committee member Walter Mzembi and the expulsion of former Politburo members Dzikamai Mavhaire, and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti from the party.

In the Midlands, party leaders are also pushing for the firing of former Politburo members Cdes Francis Nhema and Flora Buka and ex-Central Committee member Jason Machaya and Dorothy Mhangami.

Acting Masvingo provincial chairman Paradzai Chakona said the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC), during its meeting held at Victoria Junior School on Sunday also resolved to recommend the sacking of former provincial women's league chairperson Shyllet Uyoyo, former provincial youth chairman Oliver Huruva, former provincial chairman Retired Brigadier General Callisto Gwanetsa, former Health Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza and former Central Committee member Retired Colonel Claudius Makova of Bikita West.

He said the Masvingo provincial executive council first made the recommendations that the PCC adopted.

He said the resolutions were being forwarded to the party's National Disciplinary Committee.

Chakona stressed in an interview on Monday that the PCC does not have the powers to expel members but only makes recommendations.

"We had a PCC meeting yesterday (Sunday) at Victoria Junior School where it was recommended that Mavhaire, Bhasikiti, Uyoyo, Huruva, Chimedza and Makova be expelled from the party. We're drafting a letter with our recommendations to the national disciplinary committee in the party and it's their prerogative whether to accept or turn down our resolutions," said Chakona.

He said the recommendations for their expulsion are a follow up to the votes of no confidence passed in some of the members who were facing charges that include fanning factionalism within the party, undermining the party's leadership and plotting against President Mugabe as agents of the Joice Mujuru cabal.

Mavhaire, Bhasikiti and Chimedza were fired from the government last December as a result of the allegations they were facing. "We also want them expelled from the party and recalled as members of the House of Assembly and senators because they no longer represent the interest of the party," he said.

Chakona said Mzembi's charges relate to sabotaging party activities and failure to establish party structures in his constituency of Masvingo South.

"We've recommended that Engineer Mzembi be suspended for five years from the party as he has failed to establish any structure, even at cell level. We went to his constituency and realised that the chairpersons aren't even conversant with the activities of the party and Mzembi has planted his own people who sabotage the party's activities," he said.

In an interview, Bhasikiti said he would only comment after he has been notified of the proposed dismissal. "Which Zanu-PF are you talking about? Do you mean the Zanu-PF led by Josiah Hungwe? I wasn't aware of the meeting whose agenda was to fire me from the party. I'm busy farming at my farm and won't listen to falsehoods being peddled, some were saying I was cutting down trees yet I was pruning," said Bhasikiti.

Gwanetsa said: "I was there at the meeting but I've nothing to say. No comment."

Mzembi, Mavhaire, Uyoyo, Chimedza could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

In the Midlands, the cases involving Machaya, Nhema, Buka and Mhangami were discussed during a PCC meeting held on Thursday last week.

Acting Midlands Zanu-PF Chairman, Kizito Chivamba said:

"Following the vote of no confidence passed on some members of the party, we are waiting for letters confirming the action taken against those members. One can be suspended, expelled, fined or reprimanded according to our constitution. The Chronicle ngaisafona nekuti isu tisu tokufonerai kana pane zvinenge zvaitika (You must not call us. We will let you know of any latest developments)," he said.