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Top Zanu-PF officials snub Chadzamira Presidential award luncheon
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The absence of several senior Zanu PF officials from a celebration held in honour of Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira after he received a Presidential award has sparked renewed speculation about factional divisions within the ruling party in Masvingo Province.
The event, held at Urban Lifestyle Hotel last Friday, was attended by only a handful of senior party members, led by provincial vice chairman Trust Mugabe, who is widely regarded as an ally of Minister Chadzamira.
Other attendees reportedly included provincial secretary for transport Muchafa, retired general Gibson Mashingaidze, Chivi North legislator Godfrey Huruva Mukungunugwa and Fainos Makwarimba.
However, a number of prominent provincial and national party figures were notably absent from the celebrations. These included Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davis Marapira, provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa, provincial information secretary Pepukai Chiwewe, as well as Politburo members Pupurai Togarepi, Lovemore Matuke and John Paradza, among others.
A social science lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University, who requested anonymity, said the turnout was consistent with longstanding divisions within the province's ruling party structures.
"The Masvingo Zanu PF provincial leadership is divided through the middle and at the moment the unity they show in public is fake; deep down they don't see eye to eye. Some failed to attend due to genuine reasons, but the majority snubbed the event as they are not happy with Chadzamira's closeness to President Mnangagwa. They see him as the President's blue-eyed boy," the lecturer said.
According to the academic, divisions that emerged during previous provincial elections remain unresolved despite efforts to project unity.
"The division that was created during the previous provincial elections is still there although it has been neutralised by zviganandas who are pouring money and for one to eat, you have to appear loyal, yet deep inside they have their own preferences.
"So, basically zviganandas are keeping these deeply divided people together. All they want is to see Chadzamira failing so that he can be kicked out; they are not happy with the accolades he is getting," the lecturer added.
The lecturer further claimed that tensions within party structures extend beyond the provincial leadership, alleging that there is significant infighting in Zaka District, where some party members are reportedly calling for the removal of District Coordinating Committee chairperson Clemence Chiduwa.
While the absence of senior officials has fuelled speculation about internal divisions, no official explanation has been provided by those who did not attend the event, and it remains unclear whether their absence was due to political differences, scheduling conflicts or other commitments.
The development nevertheless highlights ongoing discussion about unity and succession dynamics within the ruling party's provincial structures ahead of future political contests.
The event, held at Urban Lifestyle Hotel last Friday, was attended by only a handful of senior party members, led by provincial vice chairman Trust Mugabe, who is widely regarded as an ally of Minister Chadzamira.
Other attendees reportedly included provincial secretary for transport Muchafa, retired general Gibson Mashingaidze, Chivi North legislator Godfrey Huruva Mukungunugwa and Fainos Makwarimba.
However, a number of prominent provincial and national party figures were notably absent from the celebrations. These included Deputy Minister of Agriculture Davis Marapira, provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa, provincial information secretary Pepukai Chiwewe, as well as Politburo members Pupurai Togarepi, Lovemore Matuke and John Paradza, among others.
A social science lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University, who requested anonymity, said the turnout was consistent with longstanding divisions within the province's ruling party structures.
"The Masvingo Zanu PF provincial leadership is divided through the middle and at the moment the unity they show in public is fake; deep down they don't see eye to eye. Some failed to attend due to genuine reasons, but the majority snubbed the event as they are not happy with Chadzamira's closeness to President Mnangagwa. They see him as the President's blue-eyed boy," the lecturer said.
According to the academic, divisions that emerged during previous provincial elections remain unresolved despite efforts to project unity.
"The division that was created during the previous provincial elections is still there although it has been neutralised by zviganandas who are pouring money and for one to eat, you have to appear loyal, yet deep inside they have their own preferences.
"So, basically zviganandas are keeping these deeply divided people together. All they want is to see Chadzamira failing so that he can be kicked out; they are not happy with the accolades he is getting," the lecturer added.
The lecturer further claimed that tensions within party structures extend beyond the provincial leadership, alleging that there is significant infighting in Zaka District, where some party members are reportedly calling for the removal of District Coordinating Committee chairperson Clemence Chiduwa.
While the absence of senior officials has fuelled speculation about internal divisions, no official explanation has been provided by those who did not attend the event, and it remains unclear whether their absence was due to political differences, scheduling conflicts or other commitments.
The development nevertheless highlights ongoing discussion about unity and succession dynamics within the ruling party's provincial structures ahead of future political contests.
Source - Midweek Watch
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