Zanu-PF Politiburo orders Midlands truce

The Zanu-PF Politburo yesterday ordered national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere to revisit the prevailing chaotic situation and all disciplinary cases in the Midlands province, and consult with the provincial leadership before bringing them before the National Disciplinary Committee.

The Politburo was still in session at the time of going to press.

The order to Kasukuwere follows chaos in the province that has seen provincial members holding parallel meetings.

The Politburo also resolved that the matter of Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi, who had a vote of no confidence passed on him by some members of the Youth League recently, be resolved in line with the party's constitution as he was a Presidential appointee.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said the Politburo resolved that further investigations were needed in the Midlands province.

"In the Midlands province, the cases which you are familiar with have not yet been concluded. As you are aware, there is confusion there and we cannot have two provincial executives," he said.

"The national political commissar has been directed to revisit the Midlands province for further investigations and consultations with the provincial leadership before the matter is brought to the National Disciplinary Committee and indeed the Politburo."

Chaos in the Midlands started when Kasukuwere suspended chairperson Kizito Chivamba and handpicked Tapiwa Matangaidze to lead the province.

Other members felt that if Kasukuwere had issues with Chivamba, then his deputy, Daniel McKenzie, should have taken over in the interim.

Most members of the provincial executive defied Kasukuwere and have refused to attend meetings convened by Matangaidze.

They are instead holding their own meetings.

Matangaidze, whose camp has Makhosini Hlongwane as the only provincial executive member, passed a vote of no confidence on eight members of the province among them Cdes July Moyo, Victor Matemadanda, Owen Mudha Ncube, Goodwill Shiri, Cornelius Mpereri and Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

The Mckenzie-led team had dismissed the move as a nullity.

On Togarepi, Khaya Moyo said: "The case of Togarepi is also being handled according to the provisions of our constitution as he is an appointee of the President in the Politburo.

"Hearings on Cdes Lewis Matutu and Sibongile Sibanda (members of the Youth League) are still to be concluded."

Khaya Moyo said the cases of three suspended provincial chairpersons – Cdes Chivamba, Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) and Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) – were also yet to be finalised by the NDC.

The trio was suspended for alleged disobedience and inciting insolence.

"The cases of the votes of no confidence on all the seven comrades in Mashonaland East are yet to be concluded through complete hearings," he said.

"The same applies to Bulawayo province where all nine comrades affected still have their cases to be concluded by the NDC. We are a party of justice and we are saying they must be given an opportunity to be heard."

Khaya Moyo said the three cases of Cdes Munacho Mutezo, Joe Zvouya and Jane Knight Mabuto in Manicaland had been referred back to the provincial disciplinary committee before they should be considered by the NDC for deliberation by the Politburo.

The three are being accused of hob-nobbing with the Zimbabwe People First led by former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.

Mutezo was recently spotted at a ZPF meeting.

Khaya Moyo said Finance Minister and Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa also gave a detailed presentation on the implementation of Zim-Asset.

"Due to the current drought across the country, three to five million people may be in need of food aid," he said.

"The food security situation is, however, being addressed through the importation of maize from various countries. Irrigation is being accelerated on all ARDA farms, and other farms with water bodies. A comprehensive scheme is underway to promote agricultural productivity."

He said Chinamasa also informed the meeting that resolutions of the Zanu-PF 15th National People's Conference held in Victoria Falls last December had been sent to the provinces after being approved by the Politburo.

Khaya Moyo said the Secretary for War Veterans, Detainees, Restrictees and their Welfare, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, updated the Politburo on preparations of today's meeting between President Mugabe and the freedom fighters.

"Preparations, including accreditation of delegates, is going on very well and the programme has also been finalised," he said.

"The Secretary for External Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, gave a brief report on the President's working visit to Japan, which was extensively covered by the media. The visit was successful and we look forward to more investment from Japan and the strengthening of bilateral relations."

Khaya Moyo said Kasukuwere gave a detailed commissariat report encompassing the establishment of the Chitepo Ideological College.

He said the party also looked forward to winning the April 23 by-elections in Guruve South constituency, a seat that fell vacant following Criswell Mutematsaka's expulsion.

The Secretary for Business and Liaison, Sithembiso Nyoni, gave a brief report on the revolutionary party's participation at the forthcoming Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.