adminTinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
ZANU-PF national secretary for youth affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi yesterday blasted some misguided elements within the party who abused the names of the country’s two Vice-Presidents Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko to extort money. Speaking at belated 21st February Movement celebrations held at the Large City Hall in Bulawayo, Cde Togarepi said party members who were claiming allegiance to party leaders to hide their corrupt activities were tarnishing the image of the leaders and that of the party.
Cde Togarepi, who was the guest of honour at the function, vowed that the party would weed out such elements.
“We hear people claiming that they belong to so and so; they belong to this leader and they go around extorting people using the leaders’ names. There is no-one who has people in Zanu-PF. The party is the one that has people.
“You go around saying you belong to this leader. Have you ever held a meeting with that leader to tell them that you belong to them? Stop tarnishing our leaders’ names, trying to cover for your criminal activities.
“Vice-Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko are one and they were given to us by President Mugabe as one. Don’t use their names to extort people. If you want to extort people use your name,” he said.
Cde Togarepi’s remarks come in the wake of corruption and extortion accusations levelled against some members of the Bulawayo provincial youth league executive by disgruntled party youths.
He said the party would not hesitate to flush out elements that were bent on fanning factionalism in the party by claiming to belong to either of the two Vice- Presidents.
Cde Togarepi said the party’s leadership was united and could not be divided by unscrupulous elements.
He added that by claiming allegiance to certain individuals, party members were creating another Gamatox, behaviour he said could destroy the party if tolerated.
“If you belong to anyone, you are free to leave the party because we don’t have space for you. You have your own leadership. We know our leadership as made up by President Mugabe and his two Vice-Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko. They are united and will never be separated by people who claim to belong to so and so.
“You should stand by the party and not individuals. We are all united by the party’s constitution,” said Cde Togarepi.
The Zanu-PF national youth leader also warned party members against accusing each other of being Gamatox in personal clashes that have nothing to do with the party.
He said the party had dealt with the Gamatox issue a long time ago and the matter was now in the past.
The belated Bulawayo province celebrations were attended by politburo member Cde Absolom Sikhosana, national deputy secretary for youth affairs Cde Kudzai Chipanga, youth secretary for finance Cde Tongai Kasukuwere, Bulawayo provincial party executive and Member of Parliament for Luveve Cde Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo, among other guests.
Entertainment was provided by a number of groups, with young Sicocosikayise Mangena stealing the show with his poem titled “Long Live Gushungo”.
The young lad won praises from the guest of honour who pledged to request First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe to give the boy a scholarship at her school.
21st February Movement celebrations are meant to celebrate the birthday of President Mugabe who was born on 21 February 91 years ago.
The Bulawayo celebrations were organised by the Zanu-PF provincial youth executive led by Cde Khumbulani Mpofu.
Online Reporter