Mugabe flies into storm

Tensions are reportedly high in Masvingo as the President visits the province for his birthday celebrations.

This comes as Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere recently suspended Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira for reported factional links, although the allegations have been quashed.

Sources said the tension had left party organisers in a quandary over who would receive Mugabe at the airport today, with Chadzamira who traditionally has been one of the officials who receive the President saying he does not recognise his suspension, which he has described as unconstitutional.

On the other hand, the rival faction claims that the Chadzamira executive is a parallel structure.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said that the birthday celebrations were being organised by the youths, hence the secretary for youth affairs would be in charge and as such, there would not be any problems at the function On Chadzamira's suspension, Moyo said a committee led by state security minister Kembo Mohadi was still to finalise its findings, which will be presented to the politburo.