Khaya Moyo survives

Zanu-PF National Chair Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday "lived to die another day" after some Matabeleland South provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) members blocked a motion to veto his nomination to the party's Central Committee.

A bigger fish than him, Vice President Joice Mujuru, has already failed the Central Committee litmus test, and insiders said it was likely Ambassador Khaya Moyo and several others would go the same route.

In Matabeleland North, yesterday's inter-district meeting in Lupane was marred by confrontations that prompted holding of a provincial executive committee indaba under the watchful eye of the police.

Our Bulawayo Bureau says youths from Umguza demonstrated against Cdes Jacob Mudenda, Sithembiso Nyoni and Fathi Mpofu, whom they accused of fanning factionalism.

The provincial executive committe resolved to demand the ouster of Cdes Mudenda, Nyoni, Mpofu, Tshatha Mguni and Elias Mavule from the Central Committee.

However, Fathi, Mavule who are members of the central committee and Cdes Mudenda, Nyoni, according to Zanu-PF's constitution, cannot be ousted by the provincial body since the provincial executive has no jurisdiction over them.

At the meeting, Minister Mpofu said the province would not be deterred by "poisonous individuals who were out to destroy the party through fanning factionalism".

"This person now thinks he is more senior than everyone, while we know he was not here at all. We all know that when the First Lady came here he was nowhere to be seen; even right now during our fundraising endeavours in the province he was not part of that.

"He did not contribute even a cent but oddly he has the money to pay these people from Hwange to come here and disrupt our otherwise orderly province. We know that a lot of money has been dished out in Hwange, even (Didymus) Mutasa told us that they paid people in Hwange.

"We tried to intervene in that district, trying to assist Reeds Dube, but he thinks he is too big to be challenged.

"Right now he is using a party vehicle to fan division in the country."

And in Mashonaland West, political commissar Webster Shamu, Sylvester Nguni and Reuben Marumahoko were expelled from all provincial structures, a position the PCC will formally communicate to the Politburo this week.

Politburo members Cdes Tshinga Dube and Angeline Masuku scampered to saftey after party youths barred them from attending a Bulawayo PCC meeting on charges of undermining the party's First Secretary and President, Mugabe, and insulted First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa is also walking a tight rope, as war veterans staged a peaceful demonstration to push for his immediate resignation.

In Masvingo, it is udnerstand that deputy ministers Tongai Muzenda and Paul Chimedza, and ousted provincial chair Kudakwashe Bhasikiti were barred from the Central Committee.

Matabeleland South PCC members – speaking on condition of anonymity – revealed last night that the war veterans' component of the province wanted Ambassador Khaya Moyo's name struck off the list of Central Committee members-elect citing irregulaties in the nomination process.

They say the National Chair is linked to a faction seeking to oust the President.

However, disagreements emerged and the PCC eventually resolved to sign a petititon against Ambassador Khaya Moyo.

The National Chairman could not be reached for comment last night.

If he is successfully ousted, he will become the first Zanu-PF National Chair to lose his post under such circumstances, and also the first not to rise to the Vice-Presidency.

A provincial executive member said:

"The cleansing of the party is on-going. Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo is one of the most serious pretenders. He is one of the architects of factionalism. He also lies that he is the most senior surviving ex-Zapu member, yet he is not."

Mashonaland West provincial Youth League chair Vengi Musengi confirmed the ouster of Shamu, Nguni and Marumahoko.

"We met as the PCC and resolved that they will not be in the Central Committee.

"What happened last week were the demonstrations and yesterday the proper organ of the party made a decision," he said.

Shamu is understood to have instituted defamation proceedings against the youth leader as he battles to salvage credibility.

There was drama in Bulawayo as Tshinga Dube and Masuku fled the provincial HQ after scores of party youths accosted them.

The duo is accused of insulting Amai Mugabe during her "Meet the People" rallies by lying that she had denigrated the people of Matabeleland.

Some of the youths chanted: "Follow your friend, (ex-provincial chair) Callistus (Ndlovu)", while others waved placards inscribed: "Unotuka Amai Iwe!" and "Stop it. Stop it, fanning factionalism is a serious offence".

In Mashonaland Central, former provincial chair Dickson Mafios bounced back after the PCC unanimously endorsed his candidature.

Mafios had last year lost his post to Luke Mushore who was booted out a fortnight ago.

Rushinga legislator Wonder Mashange was acting chair and yesterday became provincial secretary for administration.

Mercy Jonga is now the provincial Women's League chair.

Mafios said: "Yes, I was co-opted as chairman of the province at the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee which took place today (yesterday) in Bindura.

"I was surprised by the amount of support I have received from members of the party. The party overwhelmingly endorsed my candidature.