Zanu-PF dismisses NewsDay reports

Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo has dismissed as "monumental" lies, reports in yesterday's NewsDay issue that First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe's absence had stalled disciplinary hearings in the revolutionary party.

Quoting Khaya Moyo, the paper said the National Disciplinary Committee could not meet in the past weeks because of the absence of "its key member First Lady Grace Mugabe".

"The story is a monumental lie and indeed a figment of their imagination," Khaya Moyo said.

"At my Press briefing after the Zanu-PF Politburo meeting, I did categorically state that the NDC had not met due to circumstances beyond their control and therefore there was no report on pending cases until the next Politburo meeting.

"This was mainly due to the re-organisation of the NDC and the formation of the National Appeals and Review Committee both of which were announced yesterday. To suggest that the NDC had not met because of the absence of the First Lady is irresponsible, mischievous and utter hogwash."

After the Politburo meeting on Thursday, Khaya Moyo announced members of the new National Appeals and Review Committee of the Central Committee whose mandate is to consider appeals from party members not satisfied with rulings made by the NDC.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko will chair the new committee which has 10 other Central Committee members, one from each province.

Mphoko used to chair the NDC and he will be replaced by secretary for Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa.

The members of the new tribunal are: Jacob Mudenda (Matabeleland North), Paul Mangwana (Masvingo), Ellen Gwaradzimba (Manicaland), Absolom Sikhosana (Bulawayo), Tabitha Kanengoni (Mashonaland Central), Sydney Sekeramayi (Mashonaland East), Douglas Mombeshora (Mashonaland West) Tambudzani Mohadi (Matabeleland South), Melody Dziva (Midlands) and Sabina Thembani (Harare).

President Mugabe, who is the Zanu-PF President and First Secretary, called for the setting up of the committee following complaints by members of the party who had been suspended and/or expelled unprocedurally.

Party members expressed reservations with the NDC, arguing some of its officials brought cases as complainants and arbitrated over them without giving the alleged offenders an opportunity to defend themselves.