Fired Zanu-PF chair refuses to go

Ousted Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira yesterday rubbished his suspension as a nullity, maintaining that he was still the ruling party boss in the province.

Chadzamira, together with Kizito Chivamba (Midlands provincial chair) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East chair) were suspended on Saturday by Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.

The trio were suspended for alleged disobedience and inciting insolence, with Kasukuwere telling a Zanu-PF Matabeleland provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Lupane that the three chairmen were under investigation. However, Chadzamira emphatically said his suspension was null and void as the ruling party's Masvingo provincial executive was still fully behind him.

Chadzamira said charges being levelled against him were trumped up to achieve certain goals.

"I am still the Zanu-PF chairman for Masvingo Province and I will remain in that position until the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive decides otherwise. I respect senior leaders of my party Zanu-PF and I am very loyal to President Mugabe and the First Family and all these allegations that are being thrown at me are false. My suspension is null and void, and I respect the constitution of the party and in my case, procedure was not followed in the attempt to suspend me. I will remain Zanu-PF Masvingo chair until the provincial executive says they no longer want me,'' said Chadzamira.

He revealed that there was also no official communication from Kasukuwere informing him of his suspension and the reasons for doing so. Chadzamira said it was only the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive that had powers to remove him from his position, according to the party's constitution.

He said procedure was not followed in arriving at the decision to suspend him hence the move was null and void.

"We do not know where the allegations against us are coming from because we love our President and the First Family. My suspension is actually shocking coming at a time when we are busy preparing to host President Mugabe during the 21st February Movement celebrations to be held at Great Zimbabwe Monuments on February 27. We feel all what is happening is aimed at disturbing our preparations,'' he added.

Chadzamira said contrary to allegations levelled against him, he personally attended a rally at the Zanu-PF headquarters that was organised to congratulate President Mugabe for a successful stint as the African Union chair and show solidarity with the First Family following an attempt to bomb Gushungo Dairy. He claimed allegations that some youths and members of the Women's League from Masvingo Province were beaten up and barred from attending the rally at the Zanu-PF headquarters were false.

"My case should have been handled by the National Disciplinary Committee, and suspensions do not come from the top to the bottom but the other way round,'' said Chadzamira.

Kasukuwere refused to respond to Chadzamira's claims. "My friend, just write what he (Chadzamira) has told you. Ok! I will call you later. I am rushing to attend a funeral,'' said Kasukuwere in a short response.