Chaos in Zanu PF as 'rogue' supporters demonstrate against leaders

THE ruling party is burning and anarchy is the order of the day!

Yesterday senior Zanu-PF officials in Manicaland who are against the ascendancy of the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe to lead the party's Women's League organized youths to disrupt a provincial co-coordinating committee meeting.

The same youths were the ones who tried to cause chaos at the First Lady's "Meet The People" rally at Sakubva Stadium on October 10, with Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa being accused of having incited them.

This came as a Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial co-coordinating committee meeting was yesterday aborted after demonstrations against ousted provincial chair Callisto Gwanetsa.

In Manicaland, the youths, who were being led by one Sheila Mutsenhu, jeered and heckled senior party members like Oppah Muchinguri, Mandi Chimene, Kudzai Chipanga and Supa Mandiwanzira.

Mutsenhu is alleged to have taken delivery of a Toyota Hilux vehicle from a senior Zanu-PF member as part of the anti-Amai Mugabe campaign.

She is the same woman who in 2012 excoriated journalists after storming the Daily News newsroom before stripping and urinating on the reception area.

She also stripped for US ambassador Bruce Wharton in Mutare last year in protest against the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

But Zanu-PF national deputy youth secretary Chipanga disowned the demonstrating youths.

"They are the same youths who caused chaos at Dr Mugabe's rally at Sakubva," he said. "We will take stern disciplinary measures against her (Mutsenhu) for bringing the name of the party into disrepute."

The demonstrators carried placards which read: "Chinotimba is not a trained war veteran. He is not disciplined", "Beware of Tsholotsho", "Dambudziko redu muManicaland ndiOppah Muchinguri, Mushohwe naMuponda" and "Supa usatenga vanhu veZanu-PF, uri mucheche iwe".

Efforts to get a comment from Mutasa were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.

In an interview, provincial chairman John Mvundura defended the demonstrations.

"The message I got from the demonstration point to the effect that people are against any divisive elements in the party," he said.

The demo in Masvingo degenerated into violence after some drunk youths allegedly bussed to the venue of the meeting at Victoria Junior School started assaulting party officials.

Anti-riot police had to move in to quell the violence. In a dramatic twist, Gwanetsa convened another provincial executive meeting on Saturday that passed a vote of no confidence on Chakona.

At yesterday's aborted provincial co-coordinating committee meeting, trouble started after provincial war veterans Chairman Fancis Nando questioned whyGwanetsa was seated at the top table.

In Harare South, Zanu-PF supporters yesterday demonstrated against Harare provincial commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe for perpetrating factionalism and discrimination against people who support the appointment of Amai Mugabe to head the Women's League.

The supporters, who were singing revolutionary songs and chanting slogans, alleged that  Mashayamombe was forcing them to rally behind Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.

Some supporters alleged that he was illegally selling residential stands in Southlea Park and funding youths.

Herbert Chitepo Housing Co-operative chairperson Lydia Nzombe said Mashayamombe was abandoning his duty of representing the people in the area for personal benefits.