Divisions rock Mujuru's ZimPF

DIVISIONS have reportedly rocked the opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) Masvingo province, following the "elevation" of Retired Colonel Claudius Makova into the party's council of elders, NewsDay has established.

Three weeks ago, the province met at former Energy minister Dzikamai Mavhaire's farm and appointed William Zivenge to take over Makova's position as provincial chairperson. Mavhaire is the party's national co-ordinator.

But, Makova insisted he was still head of the province, dismissing reports that he was now in the party's council of elders.

The party's new provincial committee also comprises of former MDC-T legislators Jefferyson Chitando (publicity secretary), Oliver Chirume (administration secretary), Moses Mare (secretary for labour), Enerst Mudavanhu (secretary for mass mobilisation) and Tichaona Sithole (secretary for business and economic planning).

Makova yesterday told Southern Eye that he was still the provincial chairperson, declaring the provincial elections presided over by Mavhaire as null and void.

"As far as I am concerned, I am still the provincial chairman. I am not aware of the provincial meeting held at Mavhaire's farm in Masvingo. The likes of Chitando cannot say anything as I am the one who recommended him into the party," he said.

Chitando, however, insisted that Makova was "promoted" into the council of elders.

"We had a meeting where we resolved that Makova had been elevated to the council of elders from his previous position of provincial chairman. Zivenge took over his position and he (Makova) even acknowledged the new arrangement in his acceptance speech at the meeting. We are surprised by his latest utterances," Chitando said.

ZimPF national spokesperson, Jealous Mawarire, concurred with Makova saying the party recognised the old provincial executive.

"As far as we are concerned, Makova is still the provincial chairman. At our rally in Gweru, Makova was introduced as the provincial co-ordinator and at our meeting in Binga, he was introduced by our master of ceremony as the provincial co-ordinator. I am not aware of the so-called meeting held in Masvingo that resulted in Makova being elected into the council of elders committee. If there are any changes, the president (Joice Mujuru) could have informed us as the information and publicity committee," Mawarire said.