(Last Updated on February 14, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Zanu PF national commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, announced Saturday the suspension of three provincial chairmen linked to under-fire vice president (VP) Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The development comes after Kasukuwere and First Lady Grace Mugabe effectively accused Mnangagwa of plotting a coup against President Robert Mugabe.
Grace and Kasukuwere, claimed key members of the G40 ruling party faction, told a rally in Chiweshe that Mnangagwa was plotting Mugabe’s ouster, adding the VP was also behind a bomb attack on the First Family’s dairy company.
The First Lady also sensationally claimed that Mnangagwa’s faction had made an attempt on the life of her son Bellarmine Chatunga.
Kasukuwere announced the suspension of the chairmen after a Zanu PF Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committee meeting held in Lupane.
At the meeting were top G-40 officials Professor Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao, among other senior ruling party officials.
The suspended chairmen include Kizito Chivamba (Midlands), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East).
They were charged with trying to block party members traveling to Harare for a rally staged just before Wednesday’s politburo meeting.
“We have suspended Chivamba because he was no longer coming for meetings,” explained Kasukuwere.
“Secondly, he blocked members of the Women’s League from coming to Harare to welcome the President. He also went to the Press, making statements that undermine (the party) leadership.
“The same with Matiza in Mashonaland East … He was harassing women there and we have said to him ‘enough’. He came for the meeting, but made sure there was pressure on women not to attend that meeting.
“In Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira had the same problems, and we have told him to step aside. We can’t have insolence in the party; such arrogance and disrespect for leadership.”
Head-to-head … Saviour Kasukuwere and vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa
Kasukuwere again attacked the Mnangagwa group, accusing them of holding nocturnal meetings, plotting the removal of Mugabe.
“We know there are people who wear clothes with President Mugabe’s picture and sing his praises in the afternoon, but turn against him at night,” he said.
“They caucus at night, telling each other that the President must leave office. You think we don’t see you?
“You make our President your legitimate target and think that we will just stand there and watch? That won’t happen … If you want to destroy yourself in Zanu PF, go against a man called RGM. If you want to be finished, plot against him.
“We know some people go to a house in Kwekwe where they are told all sorts of things and think that we don’t know. You must know that whatever you say in the cover of darkness, we will always know about it
“If you are called for a private (meeting), refuse. Hold formal meetings such as this one where there are minutes which can be referred to in future.”
The allegations were however, rejected by transport minister Joram Gumbo who is from the Midlands.
“Midlands is very united, united under the leadership. For a very long time, we have been united behind the President,” said Gumbo.
“We will not be worried by statements that were made without any background information. We are solidly behind President Mugabe.
“We only wear party regalia in the province with the President’s image and the party logo. There is nothing like Team Lacoste; maybe elsewhere, but not in this province.”