ZANU PF MP Up Against Councillor In Buhera

Newly-elected Zanu PF MP for Buhera Central Constituency Samson Matema is reportedly up in arms against the Buhera RDC Chairman Ngonidzashe Musakaruka for allegedly not supporting him during the party's primary elections against his predecessor Dr Mattew Gijima Nyashanu, Bulawayo24.com has learnt.

Matema  reportedly openly lobbied to councillors from Buhera Central Constituency who were present at his Golden Jubilee birthday celebrations  at Murambinda Council Offices not to vote for Musakaruka for the influential chairmanship position because he was not in his camp during the party's primary elections.

One Buhera District Zanu PF leader who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation expressed migsgivings over this act of vindictiveness and went on to add that he saw this coming.

"This has actually not suprised me to hear this because from the experience that I have had with Matema in Buhera District leadership he is one person who doesn't forgive easily. Its either his way or there is no way. Ironically, he is a self-proclaimed political King Maker of Buhera District and besides being a provincial member he wants to run roughshod over senior party members and seasoned politicans who are also central committe members such as Joseph Chinotimba, William Mutomba and Matthew Nyashanu. With his condescending attitude, I can tell you that Buhera District in general and Buhera Central in particular must brace for some political drama and confusion with this person being the architect," he said.

Contacted for comment, Csllr Musakaruka was a dissapointed lot.

"I'm told the Honourable member Matema held a birthday party where he threatened everyone who would vote for me for the council chairmanship position particulary from Buhera Central. This bored me because I am a duly elected councillor for Ward 19 in Buhera Central and him ordering all councillors to direct their votes to a Councillor in Murambinda Growth point which has Town Board is blatant show of unprofessionalism; undemocratic and uncomradely behavior on his part. "

Musakaruka, a former headmaster is the past chairman and is widely tipped to retain the chairmanship.

Meanwhile, repeated efforts to get a comment from Matema were fruitless as his mobile was unreachable and text messages sent to him were not delivered up to the time of going to print.

Buhera District has 43 councillors and Zanu PF outclassed CCC in the just- ended plebiscite. The former bagged 39 seats while the latter got a paltry 4.