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Fights over empowerment funds rock Zanu-PF
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Violent infighting linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's empowerment funds and donations has plunged Zanu-PF's Manicaland province into turmoil, amid growing manoeuvres to remove provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza over alleged misuse of funds.
A provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting in Mutare on Tuesday ended abruptly after skirmishes erupted outside the venue, preventing the meeting from proceeding and raising fears for the safety of party members.
Mukodza is facing allegations of embezzlement, corruption and defiance of party authority, claims his supporters dismiss as a calculated bid by rivals to dethrone him.
Sources close to the meeting said the PEC was disrupted after a group of youths allegedly hired to cause chaos blocked access to the venue.
"Instead of allowing the PEC meeting to proceed, he [Mukodza] brought in paid youths to stop it," alleged a senior party official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "That is not leadership. It is sabotage of party processes."
At the centre of the dispute are allegations that Mukodza misappropriated funds intended for provincial development. According to party sources, businessman Wicknell Chivayo allegedly donated US$100,000 to Manicaland, while a further US$100,000 from the Presidential Fund under the Tungwarara programme was earmarked for provincial structures.
"That money never reached the people or the structures," claimed a PEC member. "The province remained starved of resources while the chairperson accounted for nothing."
Mukodza is also accused of turning party appointments into a "marketplace", with claims that positions were allegedly being sold to the highest bidder.
"Cadres are being asked to pay to be appointed," said another party insider. "Merit and loyalty no longer matter."
Further allegations suggest that during the co-option of Tungwarara, Mukodza misled the PEC by claiming he had been instructed by senior authorities to alter Tungwarara's proof of residence.
"He forged documents showing Chipinge instead of Buhera and told the executive it was an order from the top. That instruction never existed," a source alleged.
The chairperson is also accused of defying national leadership after allegedly launching the Mutare presidential empowerment fund despite a directive from national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha postponing the event.
"That was open defiance," said a senior provincial official. "It showed arrogance and disregard for the chain of command."
Several party members described the unfolding events as a breakdown of discipline and unity within the province.
"What we are seeing is a leader who has turned Manicaland into a personal empire," said another source. "Money buys influence, lies replace truth and defiance is paraded as strength. That is not the Zanu-PF way."
Ahead of the disrupted meeting, reports had emerged that some PEC members were mobilising to remove Mukodza through a motion of no confidence.
In his opening remarks, Mukodza sought to downplay tensions, urging members not to personalise issues.
"I am not going to allow personal issues in this meeting," he said. "I urge you to be progressive. Our main purpose is to be united as a party."
Tensions escalated when Zanu-PF Buhera West legislator Tafadzwa Mugwadi reportedly attempted to raise an issue relating to a recent cell verification programme, prompting Mukodza to interject.
Sources said Mugwadi, backed by Dangamvura constituency shadow MP Clyde Jani, intended to move a motion of no confidence against Mukodza. When Mukodza denied Mugwadi the floor, Jani intervened, requesting five minutes for the MP — a request the chairperson rejected.
Mukodza subsequently called off the meeting and walked out. Some members attempted to continue proceedings before a group of Zanu-PF supporters stormed the venue, leading to clashes outside.
Sources told NewsDay that some party members, including provincial spokesperson Samson Matema, are targeting Mukodza's position. Matema declined to comment, while Makoni district coordinating committee chairperson Kudzi Chipanga, also reportedly eyeing the post, also refused to respond.
Mukodza defended himself, saying: "We always follow the party constitution. That is our guideline."
The escalating tensions have heightened pressure on the party's national leadership to intervene, amid warnings that the crisis could further destabilise Manicaland if left unresolved.
A provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting in Mutare on Tuesday ended abruptly after skirmishes erupted outside the venue, preventing the meeting from proceeding and raising fears for the safety of party members.
Mukodza is facing allegations of embezzlement, corruption and defiance of party authority, claims his supporters dismiss as a calculated bid by rivals to dethrone him.
Sources close to the meeting said the PEC was disrupted after a group of youths allegedly hired to cause chaos blocked access to the venue.
"Instead of allowing the PEC meeting to proceed, he [Mukodza] brought in paid youths to stop it," alleged a senior party official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "That is not leadership. It is sabotage of party processes."
At the centre of the dispute are allegations that Mukodza misappropriated funds intended for provincial development. According to party sources, businessman Wicknell Chivayo allegedly donated US$100,000 to Manicaland, while a further US$100,000 from the Presidential Fund under the Tungwarara programme was earmarked for provincial structures.
"That money never reached the people or the structures," claimed a PEC member. "The province remained starved of resources while the chairperson accounted for nothing."
Mukodza is also accused of turning party appointments into a "marketplace", with claims that positions were allegedly being sold to the highest bidder.
"Cadres are being asked to pay to be appointed," said another party insider. "Merit and loyalty no longer matter."
Further allegations suggest that during the co-option of Tungwarara, Mukodza misled the PEC by claiming he had been instructed by senior authorities to alter Tungwarara's proof of residence.
"He forged documents showing Chipinge instead of Buhera and told the executive it was an order from the top. That instruction never existed," a source alleged.
The chairperson is also accused of defying national leadership after allegedly launching the Mutare presidential empowerment fund despite a directive from national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha postponing the event.
Several party members described the unfolding events as a breakdown of discipline and unity within the province.
"What we are seeing is a leader who has turned Manicaland into a personal empire," said another source. "Money buys influence, lies replace truth and defiance is paraded as strength. That is not the Zanu-PF way."
Ahead of the disrupted meeting, reports had emerged that some PEC members were mobilising to remove Mukodza through a motion of no confidence.
In his opening remarks, Mukodza sought to downplay tensions, urging members not to personalise issues.
"I am not going to allow personal issues in this meeting," he said. "I urge you to be progressive. Our main purpose is to be united as a party."
Tensions escalated when Zanu-PF Buhera West legislator Tafadzwa Mugwadi reportedly attempted to raise an issue relating to a recent cell verification programme, prompting Mukodza to interject.
Sources said Mugwadi, backed by Dangamvura constituency shadow MP Clyde Jani, intended to move a motion of no confidence against Mukodza. When Mukodza denied Mugwadi the floor, Jani intervened, requesting five minutes for the MP — a request the chairperson rejected.
Mukodza subsequently called off the meeting and walked out. Some members attempted to continue proceedings before a group of Zanu-PF supporters stormed the venue, leading to clashes outside.
Sources told NewsDay that some party members, including provincial spokesperson Samson Matema, are targeting Mukodza's position. Matema declined to comment, while Makoni district coordinating committee chairperson Kudzi Chipanga, also reportedly eyeing the post, also refused to respond.
Mukodza defended himself, saying: "We always follow the party constitution. That is our guideline."
The escalating tensions have heightened pressure on the party's national leadership to intervene, amid warnings that the crisis could further destabilise Manicaland if left unresolved.
Source - Newsday
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