Zanu-PF fires nine members

ZANU-PF has expelled nine members including the top four executive of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association who were facing various charges.

The four are Messrs Victor Matemadanda, Douglas Mahiya, Francis Nhando and Headman Moyo.

Chimanimani West legislator Eng Munacho Mutezo was also booted out after he failed to defend himself before the Disciplinary Appeals and Review Committee chaired by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

Addressing journalists after the party's Politburo meeting in Harare yesterday, party secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo said names of the other four would be announced after they have been notified officially.

"I can also confirm that Headman Moyo, Victor Matemadanda, Douglas Mahiya and Francis Nhando are out. They are no longer members of Zanu-PF," said Chombo.

"Munacho Mutezo has been fired, I can confirm. We even gave him an opportunity to defend himself and he was confronted with the facts and he could not defend himself any further. He is no longer a member of Zanu-PF. He can now elect to choose People First or any other party. We are going to have a by-election in that constituency."

Chombo added: "The Disciplinary Review Appeals Committee of the Central Committee — the Appeals Committee — has been sitting and has reviewed several cases. In total, 25 cases were heard which resulted in the expulsion of one member while 14 cases of two-year suspensions were upheld and will run until completion in December 2016.

"Names of all affected members will be released as soon as the party has notified those members. The Appeals Committee still has 27 cases to review in the coming sittings and this will mark the end of all the cases of individuals who have appealed to the Appeals Committee."

Chombo said the National Disciplinary Committee chaired by Patrick Chinamasa presided over several cases that resulted in the expulsion of eight party members at district and provincial levels while the Appeals Committee fired one member.

He said the Politburo also received a detailed report on Zim-Asset from Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Jorum Gumbo who gave an update on various projects being undertaken by his ministry.

"Under the Zim-Asset, the report mainly dealt with transport infrastructure and stated the many roads that are being rehabilitated especially regional trade corridors," said Chombo.

"These include the now completed Plumtree-Mutare (highway) stretching for 835km, Beitbridge-Harare — this is expected to cost US$2,7 billion and resources are being put together under the public-private-partnership.

"The feasibility studies for Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and Harare-Nyamapanda (highways) are now underway. These will also be embarked on a triple P arrangement. Harare International Airport - the runway for Harare International Airport is being rehabilitated and progress is at 65 percent as we speak.

"JM Nkomo Airport - this airport is being upgraded continuously and equipment is already on site. The Victoria Falls Airport is also complete and work is now in progress to convert the old terminal to a domestic terminal building."

In his capacity as secretary for administration, Chombo said he delivered a report on the preparations of the party's 16th National People's Conference to be held in Masvingo in December.

Said Chombo: "A report was presented on the preparations of the 16th National People's Conference in Masvingo and the Politburo was informed that a conference co-ordination committee is now sitting and has announced 11 sub-committees for the 16th National People's Conference and the conference co-ordination committee will be visiting Masvingo in the next two weeks to look at the possible venues for the National People's Conference as well as assess the accommodation capacity in the province.

"The committee had a critical analysis of the challenges the party faced in Victoria Falls in December 2015. It is the hope of this committee that the early preparations that are already underway will greatly reduce these challenges this time around."

Chombo said the party's national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere gave a commissariat report where he indicated that party structures were intact across the country.

Chombo said Kasukuwere intimated that this was evidenced by the party's resounding victory in the Mazowe North by-election won by Advocate Martin Dinha recently and several council by elections.

"Commissariat is on a mass mobilisation drive and is holding several activities like the recent solidarity rally with the President here at the party headquarters," said Chombo.

He said the cases of suspended three provincial chairpersons Cdes Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Kizito Chivamba (Midlands) would be heard next week.