Zanu-PF official under fire over Grace Mugabe

The Zanu-PF Manicaland youth executive wants secretary for youth affairs in the Politburo, Kudzanai Chipanga, recalled for allegedly causing disunity and bringing First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe's name into disrepute.

Provincial youth commissar, Washington Zihwihwi yesterday said: "When we lobbied for Chipanga to be deputy youth secretary, we felt we would benefit, but this has not been the case. Chipanga is using his position to divide the party.

"He is also bringing the name of the First Lady into dispute by lying that she instructed the firing of certain provincial executive members."

Chipanga said: "I am aware some members of the youth executive are being used by a senior Politburo member to destabilise the party.

"Instead of wasting our energy on undermining each other, we should focus on the implementation of Zim-Asset. I will only pay homage to President Mugabe and the First Lady."

Two camps have emerged in the provincial executive as two Press conferences were called on Friday night.

The first was at Zanu-PF provincial headquarters and the other at provincial youth secretary for finance, Gertrude Mutandi's house.

At the first press conference, youth vice-chairperson, Mubuso Chinguno who was flanked by the secretary for legal affairs, Taurai Chiripamberi and secretary for security, Rinashe Chinamasa announced the suspension of the youth provincial chairman, Kelvin Manyengavana.

Barely an hour later, our Mutare Bureau was phoned for another press conference at Mutandi's house where the secretary for information and publicity, Gibson Mupeti announced the vote-of-no confidence on Cdes Chinguno, Victor Saunyama (secretary for administration) and Chinamasa.

He said,"We met today (Friday) where as youths we resolved that the four including Manyengavana should be suspended from the party for undermining the youth executive.

"25 members of the provincial executive have signed a petition to have the four suspended for causing factionalism in our executive. "

However, Chinguno "last night maintained he was still the acting provincial youth chair.

"The meeting that passed a vote of no confidence on Manyengavana was above board.

"However, the same participants got money and beer from Gertrude Mutandi to sign a petition against us.

"We condemn the statements that have been made, and now await the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee on the matter."