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Munyaradzi Musiiwa and Lloyd Gumbo
Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday dismissed former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa as “sick” after he said he was seeking the nullification of resolutions of the party’s 6th National People’s Congress held last month. This came as the party’s secretary for the Commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday said the Politburo and his department would not stand in the way of Manicaland Province if it adopted a resolution to expel or suspend Cde Mutasa.
Addressing members of the Midlands Provincial Co-ordinating Committee at the Zanu-PF Convention Centre in Gweru, Cde Mnangagwa said the 6th National People’s Congress held last December was the biggest, most democratic and most representative.
“We are surprised with Cde Mutasa’s utterances through the media with regards to some of the resolutions made,” he said.
“First of all, VaMutasa ndivo vakatinyorera tsamba vakatikoka kumusangano uyu. He also asked all provinces to submit their resolutions ahead of the congress in his capacity as secretary for Administration. He went on to organise the congress himself.
“He then failed to attend because he was not feeling well and he went to South Africa. Now, when we heard what he said in the media takati uyu unorwara uyu. Kwatova kurwara chaiko.”
Cde Mnangagwa warned members of the party against defying party directives and policies, saying perpetrators would be axed from the party.
“We must never feel bigger than the party no matter how senior you think you are because if you do so, we will not hesitate to axe you,” he said.
“Anyone can be axed because the axe that the party uses is not selective. Gumbo mumba, gumbo panze harina kunaka (do not flip-flop). We must learn to humble ourselves and be united. Let us respect each other.”
Cde Mnangagwa praised First Lady and secretary for Women Affairs Amai Grace Mugabe for changing the complexion of the party by naming and shaming corrupt individuals as well as exposing other machinations.
“We didn’t know that President Mugabe had a strong weapon,” he said. “Stronger than the nuclear bomb. When Dr Mugabe was invited to lead the Women’s League, she exposed corruption and changed our perceptions.”
Addressing the same Midlands PCC, Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mutasa’s fate lay in the hands of Manicaland, the province where he hails from.
“We hear that there are letters that are being written to us from Manicaland with regards to Cde Mutasa’s issue,” he said.
“We hope they will do the right thing and we will not stand in their way.
“If we receive the letters that are said to have been written, the commissariat will quickly take action and the Politburo will endorse it.”
Cde Kasukuwere lambasted Cde Mutasa for threatening to form his own party and for threatening some of the senior party cadres with unspecified action.
“Cde Mutasa threatened that he will sort us out,” he said. “How does he intend to do that? Nyati (referring to Mutasa) do not start things that you cannot finish. Do not start battles that you cannot fight. Musatange zvamusingagone.
“If you (Mutasa) want to take us head-on we are up to the challenge. He will retire in pieces. We discovered that Mutasa was manipulating party programmes such as the Zim-Asset to aid his political mileage.”
Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mnangagwa was the rightful person for the post of Vice President.
He said candidates interested in contesting in the parliamentary seats left vacant by Cde Mnangagwa and former Vice President Joice Mujuru could start submitting their CVs.
The new Constitution stipulates that by virtue of being appointed to the post of Vice President one losses one’s parliamentary seat, which left Cde Mnangagwa’s Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe Constituency vacant as well as Cde Mujuru’s Mt Darwin West.
President Mugabe has since proclaimed March 27 as the date for the by-elections, with the nomination court sitting on January 29 at the Magistrates Court, Main Street, Bindura and the Magistrates Court, Main Street, Gweru to received papers of interested candidates.
Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi yesterday said Cde Mutasa should be expelled from the party.
He said Cde Mutasa should apologise to the youths for the chaotic manner in which the Youth League elections were handled last August.
“We, therefore, view Mr DNE Mutasa and his cabal as unrepentant people in the party who have no respect for our President, Cde RG Mugabe and the party constitution,” he said.
“In his case, Mr Mutasa has no place in Zanu-PF and should be expelled from the party for his divisive and insisting utterances against the party and its leadership.”
Online Reporter