Khaya Moyo want Zanu-PF members to abide by Politburo directives

Zanu-PF senior members must abide by decisions of the party in handling cases of dismissals and not resort to unilateral action in defiance of directives from the Politburo, secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo has said.

His comments follow an outright defiance by national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who has overruled the decision made by the revolutionary party's Politburo that all members booted out through votes of no confidence should be given an opportunity to be heard.

Last Wednesday's 10-hour Politburo meeting resolved that before a decision is taken on dismissal, affected members should be put to their defence. However, three days later, on Saturday, Kasukuwere said the party would not rescind the votes of no confidence saying: "natural justice had already taken place."

This came as Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo on Sunday continued with his tweeting, poking fun at the party's senior leadership, in defiance of the Politburo ban. The Politburo also banned, with immediate effect, the use of social media to communicate party issues or denigrate each other.

Khaya Moyo yesterday maintained that the Politburo had resolved to allow those booted out to give their side of the story. He said Zanu-PF expected every member to abide by the decisions taken by the Politburo and failure to do so will see them being dealt with in line with party rules and procedures.

"As far as I am concerned, the decisions which were taken, we could not announce the outcome of the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) because they had not yet finished their deliberations, but they were advised they must call all those who are facing any cases for a hearing," said Khaya Moyo.

"The matter is now in the court of the NDC, they handle all cases referred to them by the commissariat. I hope that they are working on that themselves. "The best person who can comment on how far they have gone or whether they have started (hearings) already is the secretary for legal affairs Patrick Chinamasa. He is also a member of the NDC."

Khaya Moyo said after the hearings, the NDC would report back to the Politburo. Addressing a Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Lupane on Saturday, Kasukuwere said Zanu-PF would not overturn the votes of no confidence.

At the same meeting, Kasukuwere unilaterally fired three provincial chairpersons for allegedly "disobeying party orders and inciting insolence within the party".

The three chairpersons are Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East), Kizito Chivamba (Midlands) and Ezra Chadzamia (Masvingo).

Kasukuwere said at the meeting: "Some are now saying let's sit down and review the votes of no confidence; let's go for a hearing. We have some who are lawyers who say, 'No, let's have a meeting and have natural justice'. Natural justice has already taken place. Vote of no confidence means that the appropriate organ has made a decision and the party cannot revoke that."

Zanu-PF members have been wantonly passing votes of no confidence against each other since last year, prompting President Mugabe to raise concern ahead of the revolutionary party's 15th National People's Conference last December. President Mugabe said Zanu-PF has rules which should be applied in an orderly manner without discrimination.

"Kurwisana hakuperi? Iwo mavote of no confidence akauya awa. Ko nyaya dzacho hadzitauriramwe here," he said while addressing members of the Zanu-PF Central Committee. "Try to correct each other, warn each other before you take action. It doesn't help us."

On the other hand, Prof Moyo, who has used his Twitter handle @ProfJNMoyo to attack fellow party members, on Sunday continued with his trend. He suggested to the Daily News how it should have subbed its lead story on Sunday denigrating Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Tweeted Prof Moyo: "Technically, today's @DailyNewsZim's headline is poor subbing. It should have been 'VP's Dilemma: Fight or Flight'." The Daily News had headlined its story: "VP's Dilemma: To fight or run".

Prof Moyo continued: "If you are an appointee, it's wrong to use your position to subvert the authority of your appointer to succeed him. It's honourable to resign."