Zanu-PF chairmen resign en-masse

Several Zanu-PF provincial youth chairpersons, who last year helped engineer the political rise of First Lady Grace Mugabe, reportedly resigned yesterday afternoon citing intimidation by ruling party hawks.

This happened as Zanu-PF postponed its politburo meeting initially scheduled for today to tomorrow amid reports this was meant to allow Grace to address a rally in Mashonaland Central Province where she is expected to set the tone for the ouster of party activists reportedly linked to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The campaign is allegedly targeted at party youth leaders perceived as sympathetic to a Zanu-PF faction fronted by Mnangagwa.

Mashonaland Central youth chair Godfrey Tsenengamu and two others, Paul Rwodzi, who is secretary for administration, and secretary for security Batsirai Musani, were booted out in a no-confidence vote last Saturday.

"The attack is so much and it seems they wanted to fire us in a uniform manner just like what happened to Tsenengamu," said Midlands provincial chairperson Edmore Samambwa.

Washington Nkomo from Matabeleland South also said although he was still consulting, it was most likely that he would also throw in the towel.

Vengai Musengi from Mashonaland West added the threats and the level of factionalism were most frightening and that was undermining the authority of President Robert Mugabe.