Mnangagwa ally suspended by Zanu-PF

Zanu-PF has wielded the axe on "rebellious" senior executives in the Midlands province for allegedly de-campaigning the party's candidates ahead of the August 23 and 24 general elections as factional fights take their toll on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's home turf.

Mnangagwa's home province is at the centre of the ruling party's factional fights which have seen nine leaders who are also members of the provincial co-ordinating committee being suspended for 21 days pending hearings that will determine their fate in the party.

The suspended leaders include Zanu-PF Gokwe North district co-ordinating committee (DCC) chairperson Justice Mayor Wadyajena and Midlands provincial Women's League secretary for production and labour Florence Rwodzi.

Midlands youth league provincial member Peace Tavengwa has also been served with a suspension letter together with Gokwe North provincial members Godfrey Hofisi and Catharine Mandenda.

The other leaders found in the party crosshairs are Kwekwe district DCC members David Marivha and Padzoka Nago, and Zvishavane DCC member Noel Mbera.

According to documents in the NewsDay's possession, Zanu-PF has lined up hearings that will be chaired by central committee member Cuthbert Mpame starting from November 27, 2023, until December 1, 2023.

The letters of suspension were copied to the Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also chairs the party's national disciplinary committee.

It has also emerged that the suspended party members were boycotting meetings called by candidates who contested in the August 23 and 24 elections.

They are also accused of allegedly urging party members not to vote for the candidates in the elections.

Some of the members have been reportedly shunning party meetings in protest over the Forever Associates of Zimbabwe-run chaotic primary elections.

The primary elections were, however, marred by reports of rigging and favouritism in selecting the candidates that represented the party in the general elections.

Wadyajena is being accused of decampaigning former Cabinet minister and sitting legislator Flora Buka, who had beaten him in the primary elections for the Gokwe-Nembudziya constituency.

"You failed to account for 45 tonnes of mealie-meal that were given to Gokwe North Administrative District, and to benefit the party during the 2023 harmonised elections.

"You failed to conduct yourself in an honest and honourable manner in your dealings with the party and public, actions of which have brought the party's name into disrepute or ridicule.

"You are alleged to have worked against a party candidate for Gokwe-Nembudziya constituency when you incited people not to vote for a party candidate for the National Assembly," ZanuPF

Midlands provincial secretary for administration Edmond Mkaratigwa said in a prohibition order addressed to Wadyajena.

Rwodzi, Mandenda and Mbera are being accused of boycotting party meetings.

Contacted for comment Zanu-PF director for Information Farai Marapira said he had not received reports of the suspensions and hearings.

"I am yet to check on those developments," Marapira said. "I will get back to you once I have established."

But documents seen by NewsDay show that party chairperson Muchinguri-Kashiri has already been informed of the suspensions.

In a letter dated November 16, 2023, Mkaratigwa said the Midlands provincial executive council had met on November 11 to establish the disciplinary committee.

The letter read: "Cde Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge who was recently appointed acting Midlands provincial chairman, recused himself from the panel, hence the resolution by the provincial executive council meeting, that Cde Advocate Cuthbert Mpame be the chairman of the Midlands provincial disciplinary committee."

Chiherenge confirmed the hearings.

"The members have not been suspended from the party, but they have just been prohibited from carrying out party business," Chiherenge said.

He also confirmed that the members would appear before a disciplinary committee.