Mugabe sacks deputy minister

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has sacked Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Monica Mutsvangwa from the government.

This follows her three-year suspension from Zanu-PF by the revolutionary party's Politburo last week for gross misconduct and indiscipline.

Acting Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Regis Chikowore, said: "As far as I understand, Deputy Minister Monica Mutsvangwa was served with a letter relieving her of her duties in government at the weekend."

Monica's husband, Christopher Mutsvangwa, was sacked as Minister for Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees last Friday after he was also suspended from the party.

The couple will not hold any positions in the party during their suspension, but will continue holding their parliamentary seats.

Chris Mutsvangwa is the Norton National Assembly MP while his wife is a Senator for Manicaland.

Monica Mutsvangwa declined to comment yesterday, only stating: "Ask the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr (Misheck) Sibanda."

The Zanu-PF Women's League passed a vote of no confidence on Mutsvangwa as the League's spokesperson last year for indiscipline. This was after she participated in an illegal meeting that tried to overturn the ousting of Manicaland chairlady, Happiness Nyakuedzwa.

Nyakuedzwa was kicked out for disrespecting the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, who is also the Zanu-PF secretary for Women's Affairs.

On the other hand, Chris Mutsvangwa was suspended after the Mashonaland West provincial executive last year recommended his expulsion, accusing him of insulting the First Family and undermining the authority of the President,

This followed his utterances in the media where he was quoted as saying: "We will always respect the institution of marriage and he (Saviour Kasukuwere) is confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the State."

His woes mounted when he tried to convene a meeting of war veterans without notifying the relevant authorities, including getting police clearance.

The freedom fighters, who gathered for the unsanctioned meeting, were dispersed by police using teargas and water cannons.

The development irked the patron of the war veterans President Mugabe, who had no kind words for Mutsvangwa.

Also suspended for three years was the Women's League secretary for administration Esphina Nhari, who had a vote of no confidence passed on her by the Wing for chanting the slogan "Pasi NeG40" at a rally in Gutu last year.

Seven former youth provincial chairpersons were also expelled after some of them issued a press statement insulting and denigrating the First Lady.

These are Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Khumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo), Edmore Samambwa (Midlands) and Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North).

Another seven youths leaders from associations aligned to Zanu-PF were also expelled from the party, including Gabriel Togarepi, the son of Youth League secretary Pupurai Togarepi.