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Zanu-PF's Ganyiwa, Bhila face expulsion
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Gutu East Member of Parliament (MP) Benjamin Ganyiwa is facing significant trouble within his party, Zanu-PF, which has begun the process of preparing for a by-election in the constituency. Last week, Zanu-PF held meetings across various wards in the area, informing supporters that Ganyiwa had been dismissed and urging them to prepare for the selection of a new MP. The meetings were held at key locations, including Chinyika, Mandeya, and Makudo, where local party leadership addressed members on the situation.
Despite repeated attempts, Ganyiwa's mobile phone remained unreachable, and he did not respond to messages sent via WhatsApp.
In an interview with The Mirror, Gutu East Ward 4 Councillor Philip Tagwirei Garirai confirmed that a provincial committee had been touring the constituency to hold meetings. However, Garirai said no meeting had taken place in his ward, and he was unclear about the agenda of the sessions that had taken place in other parts of the constituency.
Zanu-PF's Masvingo Provincial spokesperson, Pepukai Chiwewe, clarified that the provincial coordinating committee (PCC) was on a mission to disseminate resolutions from the party's national congress in Bulawayo held last year, which included addressing matters related to party discipline and organization in constituencies across the province.
Masvingo Provincial chairman, Rabson Mavhenyengwa, weighed in on the controversy, stating that Ganyiwa was currently under prohibition and that there were no plans for a by-election in Gutu East.
However, Gutu Cluster chairperson for the opposition MDC Alliance, Godfrey Madzikanda, expressed uncertainty over any potential by-election in the constituency. "I am not aware of any pending by-election in Gutu East," Madzikanda said. "If it turns out that there is any, the party will sit down and decide on the way forward."
The Mirror has learned that Ganyiwa recently appeared before the Zanu-PF provincial disciplinary committee in connection with allegations related to his leadership conduct. Specifically, he was accused of failing to reprimand party supporters who had been openly criticizing party leadership in a WhatsApp group. This disciplinary hearing also saw Chiredzi North MP Roy Bhila face charges, including making derogatory remarks about fellow party members.
Ganyiwa, who is also the party's provincial secretary for business development, is facing four charges, including holding a "secret" meeting at his homestead without informing district and provincial party structures, which the party considered an act of disloyalty. Additionally, Ganyiwa allegedly promoted factionalism by inviting members from other constituencies to the meeting. The MP is also accused of boasting that he does not take orders from local party structures due to his connections with members of the national executive.
Ganyiwa was given a 21-day prohibition order from December 13, 2024, until the finalization of his case. The disciplinary committee's charge sheet also highlighted concerns about his failure to address the actions of members within the Gutu East Constituency WhatsApp group, where party leadership was reportedly denigrated.
Meanwhile, Bhila, who also serves as the party's provincial secretary for finance, is facing three charges, including allegedly inciting violence by sending goons to assault party members at a rally, insulting a fellow party member by calling them a "big fool" and "zibenzi chairo," and failing to support the government's development agenda.
Zanu-PF's Pepukai Chiwewe emphasized that no individual, including elected officials like Ganyiwa and Bhila, is above the party's rules and regulations. "No one is bigger than the party," Chiwewe said, reaffirming that the disciplinary process would be followed through, regardless of an individual's position.
As tensions within the ruling party continue to mount, the question remains whether the situation in Gutu East will result in a formal by-election or if Ganyiwa's fate will be determined by the party's disciplinary actions. Regardless of the outcome, the ongoing turmoil signals deeper issues within Zanu-PF as it seeks to maintain unity and discipline in the run-up to upcoming elections.
Despite repeated attempts, Ganyiwa's mobile phone remained unreachable, and he did not respond to messages sent via WhatsApp.
In an interview with The Mirror, Gutu East Ward 4 Councillor Philip Tagwirei Garirai confirmed that a provincial committee had been touring the constituency to hold meetings. However, Garirai said no meeting had taken place in his ward, and he was unclear about the agenda of the sessions that had taken place in other parts of the constituency.
Zanu-PF's Masvingo Provincial spokesperson, Pepukai Chiwewe, clarified that the provincial coordinating committee (PCC) was on a mission to disseminate resolutions from the party's national congress in Bulawayo held last year, which included addressing matters related to party discipline and organization in constituencies across the province.
Masvingo Provincial chairman, Rabson Mavhenyengwa, weighed in on the controversy, stating that Ganyiwa was currently under prohibition and that there were no plans for a by-election in Gutu East.
However, Gutu Cluster chairperson for the opposition MDC Alliance, Godfrey Madzikanda, expressed uncertainty over any potential by-election in the constituency. "I am not aware of any pending by-election in Gutu East," Madzikanda said. "If it turns out that there is any, the party will sit down and decide on the way forward."
The Mirror has learned that Ganyiwa recently appeared before the Zanu-PF provincial disciplinary committee in connection with allegations related to his leadership conduct. Specifically, he was accused of failing to reprimand party supporters who had been openly criticizing party leadership in a WhatsApp group. This disciplinary hearing also saw Chiredzi North MP Roy Bhila face charges, including making derogatory remarks about fellow party members.
Ganyiwa, who is also the party's provincial secretary for business development, is facing four charges, including holding a "secret" meeting at his homestead without informing district and provincial party structures, which the party considered an act of disloyalty. Additionally, Ganyiwa allegedly promoted factionalism by inviting members from other constituencies to the meeting. The MP is also accused of boasting that he does not take orders from local party structures due to his connections with members of the national executive.
Ganyiwa was given a 21-day prohibition order from December 13, 2024, until the finalization of his case. The disciplinary committee's charge sheet also highlighted concerns about his failure to address the actions of members within the Gutu East Constituency WhatsApp group, where party leadership was reportedly denigrated.
Meanwhile, Bhila, who also serves as the party's provincial secretary for finance, is facing three charges, including allegedly inciting violence by sending goons to assault party members at a rally, insulting a fellow party member by calling them a "big fool" and "zibenzi chairo," and failing to support the government's development agenda.
Zanu-PF's Pepukai Chiwewe emphasized that no individual, including elected officials like Ganyiwa and Bhila, is above the party's rules and regulations. "No one is bigger than the party," Chiwewe said, reaffirming that the disciplinary process would be followed through, regardless of an individual's position.
As tensions within the ruling party continue to mount, the question remains whether the situation in Gutu East will result in a formal by-election or if Ganyiwa's fate will be determined by the party's disciplinary actions. Regardless of the outcome, the ongoing turmoil signals deeper issues within Zanu-PF as it seeks to maintain unity and discipline in the run-up to upcoming elections.
Source - The Mirror
