Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF’s Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza has apologised to the party’s national leadership for skirmishes that rocked the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) since early February.
Chaos erupted at a recently scheduled PEC meeting at Rekayi Tangwena Government Complex, marred by wrangling and confrontation between rival groups, prompting its cancellation, and the submission of written reports to the national commissariat by the rival camps.
The deep divisions within the provincial leadership were also laid bare on Tuesday, as rival factions clashed at a stormy Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting in Mutare.
The meeting was reconvened under the police watch, with the Deputy national political commissar, Cde Webster Shamu, and Politburo member, Cde Tendai Chirau, chairing the session, which lasted more than nine hours, urging members to set aside differences and refocus on unity.
The apology came as ZANU PF National Chairperson, Comrade Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri had castigated the provincial leadership for engaging in petty squabbles over money and personal vendettas, warning that continued disunity risks eroding the party’s legacy.
“I would like to apologise for the skirmishes that have been happening in the province. I would like to assure you that this will not happen again. The blame should be apportioned to me as the provincial chairman, and representing the entire provincial executive, I want to tender my apology, and assure you that this will never happen again. We have emerged from this more united and focused,” said Cde Mukodza.
ZANU PF Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda said he was representing President Mnangagwa, and accepted the apology.
“All of us must remember that our forebears taught us that as we stay together, at some point we may quarrel, but chakafukidza dzimba matenga, you solve issues in-house. I have accepted your apology.
“I am happy, Manicaland has a special space in our liberation struggle. It was our eastern star in the liberation struggle. The greatest number of fighters came from Manicaland. I saw it fit as the Secretary-General of the party, to start these interfaces with the eastern star province.
“Of course, some people had tried to dissuade me from coming here, citing the fights. They asked me how I could start the interfaces in a province where people are fighting. I won’t mention these people, but I want to say let bygones be bygones. The immediate war now is Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, which requires us all to be united and focused. We have come to strengthen you as a province,” said Comrade Mudenda.
ZANU PF treasurer-general, Comrade Patrick Chinamasa concurred with Cde Mudenda.
“It is true that there were sentiments about having this meeting at this juncture as there were fights. But that matter has been put to rest. The chairman has apologised and asked for forgiveness, and the Secretary-General representing the President has forgiven him. So backwards never,” he said.
