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Mnangagwa reverses Mashayamombe suspension
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to take disciplinary action against individuals within Zanu-PF who orchestrated a wave of what he termed "random and illegal" suspensions of party members, warning that such actions threaten party unity ahead of next year's crucial provincial elections.
The warning follows a Zanu-PF politburo meeting held last week, during which Mnangagwa accused the culprits of acting as enemies of the party by bypassing internal processes and fuelling factionalism through unjustified expulsions.
Speaking to NewsDay on condition of anonymity, senior party insiders said Mnangagwa was particularly angered by the suspension of Shadreck Mashayamombe by the Harare provincial leadership, led by Godwills Masimirembwa. The President reversed the decision and demanded a full investigation into the motives behind the move.
"President Mnangagwa demanded investigations on who is behind the expulsions, some of which saw some procedures not being followed," a politburo member said. "He said he would crack the whip on those responsible."
According to the Zanu-PF constitution, Mashayamombe, who is a cell member, should have been subjected to disciplinary processes at the branch level. However, the Harare provincial leadership bypassed those procedures, prompting Mnangagwa to intervene. Sources within the party allege that Masimirembwa viewed Mashayamombe as a potential rival in the upcoming 2026 provincial elections.
Efforts to contact Masimirembwa for comment were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was unreachable.
Party insiders revealed that Mashayamombe's suspension was based on unsubstantiated rumours - a pattern Mnangagwa said must be eradicated from party culture.
In addition to Mashayamombe, Mnangagwa reportedly exonerated two members from Masvingo who had also been expelled under similar questionable circumstances.
Addressing a press conference after the politburo meeting, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa echoed Mnangagwa's concerns, stating that the President viewed the internal purges as detrimental to the party's cohesion.
"President Emmerson Mnangagwa was very stern on expulsions of party members and believes that this could destroy the party. He values unity and peace," Mutsvangwa said.
He further emphasized that Zanu-PF, as a revolutionary party rooted in the people, should address internal conflicts through dialogue and not expulsions.
"He [Mnangagwa] does not tolerate clandestine suspensions. Rather than removing members, the party opted for reprimands where necessary. This approach reflects the President's leadership style - focused on healing divisions and strengthening the party from within," Mutsvangwa added.
The latest developments highlight growing internal friction within Zanu-PF, as rival factions position themselves ahead of internal elections and the broader 2028 general election. Analysts say Mnangagwa's response signals a strategic push to preserve unity while tightening his grip on party structures amid simmering succession debates.
The warning follows a Zanu-PF politburo meeting held last week, during which Mnangagwa accused the culprits of acting as enemies of the party by bypassing internal processes and fuelling factionalism through unjustified expulsions.
Speaking to NewsDay on condition of anonymity, senior party insiders said Mnangagwa was particularly angered by the suspension of Shadreck Mashayamombe by the Harare provincial leadership, led by Godwills Masimirembwa. The President reversed the decision and demanded a full investigation into the motives behind the move.
"President Mnangagwa demanded investigations on who is behind the expulsions, some of which saw some procedures not being followed," a politburo member said. "He said he would crack the whip on those responsible."
According to the Zanu-PF constitution, Mashayamombe, who is a cell member, should have been subjected to disciplinary processes at the branch level. However, the Harare provincial leadership bypassed those procedures, prompting Mnangagwa to intervene. Sources within the party allege that Masimirembwa viewed Mashayamombe as a potential rival in the upcoming 2026 provincial elections.
Efforts to contact Masimirembwa for comment were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was unreachable.
In addition to Mashayamombe, Mnangagwa reportedly exonerated two members from Masvingo who had also been expelled under similar questionable circumstances.
Addressing a press conference after the politburo meeting, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa echoed Mnangagwa's concerns, stating that the President viewed the internal purges as detrimental to the party's cohesion.
"President Emmerson Mnangagwa was very stern on expulsions of party members and believes that this could destroy the party. He values unity and peace," Mutsvangwa said.
He further emphasized that Zanu-PF, as a revolutionary party rooted in the people, should address internal conflicts through dialogue and not expulsions.
"He [Mnangagwa] does not tolerate clandestine suspensions. Rather than removing members, the party opted for reprimands where necessary. This approach reflects the President's leadership style - focused on healing divisions and strengthening the party from within," Mutsvangwa added.
The latest developments highlight growing internal friction within Zanu-PF, as rival factions position themselves ahead of internal elections and the broader 2028 general election. Analysts say Mnangagwa's response signals a strategic push to preserve unity while tightening his grip on party structures amid simmering succession debates.
Source - online
