Kaukonde voted out, blow for Mujuru

Mashonaland East Zanu-PF chairman Ray Kaukonde has been booted out following a vote of no confidence passed on him and seven other executives as the open season against key allies (both real and suspected) of embattled Vice-President Joice Mujuru continues.

27 members of the executive supported the motion.

The no confidence vote was announced by the province's Secretary General, Phineas Chihota at a meeting held at the party's provincial headquarters in Marondera.

The members of the executive, who have been suspended are Provincial Political Commissar, Tendai Makuinde and his deputy, George Katsande; the Deputy Secretary for Security, Washington Musvaire; the Deputy Secretary for Finance, Felix Mhona; Secretary for Education, Taurai Pasirai, the Provincial Administrator, Peter Murwira and Boniface Mutize.

Kaukonde is accused of promoting factionalism in the province as well as abusing some women.

The other ousted executive members are also accused of working against the party by fanning factionalism.

Chihota has been appointed Acting Chairperson.

Ray Kaukonde is a key Mujuru ally.

Kaukonde's brings to eight the number of Zanu-PF chairmen forced out in the ongoing pogroms.

Kaukonde's ouster followed violent protests by war veterans and Zanu-PF youths in Marondera. The war veterans accused Kaukonde of sabotaging the First Family and working against President Robert Mugabe.

Kaukonde was being jointly accused with Marondera East MP, Jeremiah Chiwetu, of fanning factionalism in the province.

Kaukonde becomes the eight Zanu-PF provincial chairman to bite the dust following the ousting of Themba Mliswa (Mashonaland West), Jason Machaya (Midlands), Amos Midzi (Harare), Andrew Langa (Matabeleland South), Dr Callistus Ndlovu (Bulawayo), John Shumba Mvundura (Manicaland) and Callisto Gwanetsa (Masvingo).

The seven provincial chairmen are all said to be aligned to Vice-President Joice Mujuru who is fighting against another faction led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Mujuru camp has come under fierce attack as Zanu-PF heads towards a key elective congress in December.

Critics say the purge of Mujuru loyalists comes as a well-planned strategy by the Mnangagwa camp to weaken Mujuru ahead of the congress.

Last month, Mugabe's wife, Grace, held a series of rallies where she lashed out at Mujuru and her allies, accusing them of plotting to oust her 90-year-old husband from power.

Mujuru has since denied the allegations but that has not stopped Mugabe from weakening her grip on the party's politburo and structures around the country with the suspension of all chairmen who could have nominated the vice-president as the party's next leader.

As things stand, the vice-president now faces a tough fight even retaining her current position at the crucial December gathering.

Details to follow...