Mnangagwa's wife blasts Harare Zanu-PF leaders

Zimbabwe's First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has reportedly rebuked the Zanu-PF Harare provincial executive over its handling of party affairs, accusing the leadership of fuelling divisions through a wave of suspensions that have deepened factional tensions linked to succession politics.

Sources said the First Lady singled out Harare provincial chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa during a briefing held ahead of her Angel of Hope charity meeting in Hatcliffe last week.

The meeting was attended by politburo and central committee members from the province, as well as provincial, district and branch structures.

According to a central committee member who attended the gathering, Auxillia openly questioned Masimirembwa's leadership style and accused his executive of destabilising the ruling party by prioritising disciplinary measures instead of unity.

"In the briefing, she asked Masimirembwa to stand up and told him that he had failed to unite people in Harare province," the central committee member said.

"She questioned why his administration was always suspending members instead of fostering unity."

The First Lady is said to have demanded an explanation for why discussions in the provincial executive frequently revolved around firing party members.

Masimirembwa reportedly attempted to downplay the situation, insisting that everything was under control in Harare province, but Auxillia rejected the explanation and told him she would personally visit the province to assess the situation.

The Masimirembwa-led executive has reportedly expelled more members than any other provincial structure in the country.

Sources say about 14 members have already been dismissed, with the figure potentially exceeding 30 had the politburo not intervened and halted further suspensions.

In November 2024, Masimirembwa dismissed 10 senior party members accused of inciting divisions within the party.

Those expelled included commissar Kudakwashe Damson, district coordinating committee chairman Godwin Gomwe, deputy Lands secretary Edson Ringwa, deputy Science and Technology secretary Charles Matsika and youth league secretary for administration Victor Manungo, among others.

Earlier, in May last year, the politburo intervened to reverse some suspensions imposed by the Harare provincial leadership.

Among those affected was former Harare South Member of Parliament Shadreck Mashayamombe.

Other party members reportedly suspended included Elizabeth Munyeri, Lorraine Vengesai and Oliver Vheremu.

Addressing journalists after a politburo meeting in May last year, party national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa announced the reversal of the suspensions, warning that such actions risked undermining the party's unity and stability.

Masimirembwa has previously been associated with large-scale disciplinary actions. In 2015, he recommended the expulsion of 25 senior party members over alleged treachery and gross misconduct.

Those targeted included former minister Amos Midzi, former deputy ministers Tendai Savanhu and Mirriam Chikukwa, as well as legislator Noah Mangondo.

Despite the reprimand from the First Lady, sources said Masimirembwa addressed a provincial executive meeting two days later and warned members of possible disciplinary hearings.

The provincial leader is reportedly working closely with his deputy Ephraim Fundukwa, whom critics accuse of using his position as chairperson of the disciplinary committee to target perceived rivals.

"Fundukwa is weaponising his position as chair of the disciplinary committee," the central committee member said.

"Right now he is targeting any member linked to Mashayamombe. He has worked to block Mashayamombe's appointment as a district member, aiming to keep him ineligible for election because he fears losing to him in primary elections."

Fundukwa is also reportedly campaigning to take over Churu constituency amid speculation that the sitting legislator could be recalled by self-proclaimed CCC secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.

Contacted for comment, Masimirembwa threatened to investigate the source of the leak to the media.

"Where did you get that story from? Someone leaked the information from what took place there," he said.

"From your story, we want to develop it because we were very few and we would be able to zero in on the person.

"I can tell you that we were less than 10, so we can't have those people snitching on senior party leadership and leak what we discuss from private briefings."

Fundukwa, however, said he was unaware of the meeting where the Harare provincial leadership was allegedly criticised for failing to unite party structures.