Khaya Moyo speaks on suspension of Zanu-PF leaders

Suspension of 39 Zanu-PF leaders on Friday was a mere formality as some of them had pending disciplinary cases dating back to the party's 6th National People's Congress in December 2014, the revolutionary outfit's spokesperson, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, has said.

Political analysts immediately weighed in, dismissing as baseless suggestions in some quarters that the number of suspended Zanu-PF members indicated the high level of support expelled Vice-President Dr Joice Mujuru enjoyed across party structures. Ambassador Khaya Moyo said yesterday that the Politburo endorsed First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe's calls for Zanu-PF to focus on unity and stop petty fights.

"Recent suspensions of a number of Zanu-PF leaders across provinces by the Politburo on recommendation by the National Disciplinary Committee have been misconstrued by some sections of the media.

"There were no new suspensions, but a determination of outstanding cases, which had not been concluded by the time the last Congress was held last December.

"The insinuation that the recently announced suspensions ranging from two to five years contradict the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe's call that the party must, henceforth, concentrate on national programmes and that we must unite, stop gossiping about each other, stop witch-hunting and that we must now concentrate on building the party and the economy through discipline and hard work, creates no contradiction whatsoever."

On Friday, the Zanu-PF Politburo suspended 39 members, among them former national political commissar Mr Webster Shamu and Dr Mujuru's assistant, Mr Sylvester Nguni.

Some sections of the media took these suspensions to mean a "new purge", and viewed them as inconsistent with the First Lady's call for the party to focus on development rather than disciplinary cases.

Ambassador Khaya Moyo said Zanu-PF's National Disciplinary Committee would continue to execute its mandate. He added: "Any indiscipline by any party member shall be handled through proper party channels as provided for by the constitution of the party.

"No one is above the party. In view of the confusion arising from the said suspensions, I must emphasise that they all took effect from the 1st of January. Those suspended remain party members, but hold no position in the party for the period they are suspended.

"The issue of whether they will continue to be Members of Parliament will be decided at a later date and we will make the announcement when the time comes."

Political analyst Mr Godwine Mureriwa said it was simplistic thinking to suggest the suspensions would benefit Dr Mujuru.

"It is a myth, even to suggest that those suspended people still have links with Mujuru. Most of them are regretting their associations with her. What should be understood is that people support Zanu-PF because of the leadership of President Mugabe. It was President Mugabe who was overwhelmingly voted for by the people and not Mujuru."

University of Zimbabwe Chairperson for the Department of Political Studies Professor Charity Manyeruke said Zanu-PF was a vibrant party and some of the suspended and expelled members no longer had any support for Dr Mujuru.

"I know for certain that some of those who were expelled and suspended have got back to their senses and they no longer support (Mujuru). Remember she has confirmed that her views are different from Zanu-PF".

The 39 suspended members are part of the 141 who have been disciplined by the party for their involvement in clandestine activities that were led by former Vice-President Mujuru to attempt to illegally remove President Mugabe from office.

Soon after the nefarious plot was unearthed in the lead up to the party's Congress held last December, the party's provincial structures proposed action against errant members to the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).