Shun factionalism, Kasukuwere tells Masvingo leaders

THE Zanu-PF leadership in Masvingo has been advised against harbouring divisive and destructive tendencies which threaten unity within the party. Addressing the Masvingo provincial coordinating committee (PCC) meeting held at Victoria Junior School on Saturday, Zanu-PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said divisions in the province were destructive.

His visit came in the wake of simmering divisions within the provincial executive committee which saw 11 senior members being suspended over allegations of violating the party's constitution, chief among them holding unsanctioned meetings.
The suspended members are; secretary for finance Pricsa Moyo, secretary for youth Bright Munyoro, secretary for administration Ailes Baloyi, provincial publicity secretary Susan Madzivadondo, secretary for science and technology in the youth league Senderai Manyanga, provincial committee member, Ignatius Murindi, secretary for health care, Zvapano Munganasa, provincial secretary for science and technology, Jevas Masosota, provincial secretary for transport Godhati Dunira Hungwe, deputy secretary for security Buster Mafio, and secretary for the commissariat Mucharevei Chamisa.
Kasukuwere underscored the need for senior members of the party to treat junior members as equals without taking sides.
He said treating members differently would sow seeds of hatred. "There is no one who has bought a house or a car through fighting. Party members should be united for the progress of the party. You must also respect your provincial leadership. We expect party members to respect the Minister of State Senator Shuvai Mahofa and Politburo members here that include Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education Josiah Hungwe," said Kasukuwere.
He challenged Hungwe to work with all members in the province without segregation.
"Minister Hungwe, you should feel free to work with anyone in the party. You are the most senior party cadre in the province. You should embrace every member of the party in the province as we expect them to respect you in return and that promotes unity," he said.
Kasukuwere who is also Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development Minister said the date for the by-election for the vacant Bikita East constituency will be announced this week and the province should send names for possible candidates to the Politburo for vetting.
On the issue of 4 000 hectares of sugarcane farms under Tongaat Hulett in Chiredzi for which over 200 members were given offer letters by the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement, he said President Robert Mugabe has a final say.
When President Mugabe visited Chiredzi in May he said the new indigenous sugarcane farmers would be given alternative land apparently to save jobs for about 2 000 workers presently working at the farms.
The provincial leadership, led by acting chairman Amasa Nhenjana has also reiterated that new occupants will be given alternative land under Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ) in the Lowveld.
Commenting on the suspended members Nhenjana said the move is a disciplinary measure meant to whip errant cadres into line and no one is going to be dismissed from the party. He said the hearing would go on as scheduled with each member responding to the allegations levelled against them.