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Harare Bureau—
Top allies of former Vice President Joice Mujuru have distanced themselves from a press statement by former Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa denouncing the 6th National People’s Congress as a legal nullity. In his statement issued to the private media, Cde Mutasa also said he was a representative of all past and current disgruntled members of Zanu-PF.
However, former Zanu-PF chairman for Manicaland Cde John Mvundura dismissed as preposterous the statement by Cde Mutasa.
He said he had never communicated with the former secretary for administration since his failure to land a Central Committee post ahead of the congress.
“I stand for His Excellency President Mugabe. I’m not part of that group. I wait for instruction from the Head of State and I fully recognise the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress and all its resolutions,” said Cde Mvundura.
Cde Mvundura was at the centre of a storm when he invited Cde Mujuru to officiate at the burial of the remains of fallen heroes without following proper protocol.
He was later issued with a letter of reprimand from the Zanu-PF Politburo after which a vote of no confidence was passed on him by the Manicaland provincial leadership.
Another Mujuru ally, former deputy Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Cde Tendai Savanhu, said he was busy at his farm and wasn’t even aware of the actual contents of Cde Mutasa’s statement.
“I’m at the farm and not in communication with Mutasa. I don’t think he was referring to me when he said that his statement was representative of all those who were suspended or disgruntled. Please don’t include me, I had no input into his statement,” said Cde Savanhu.
Former Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Retired Brigadier General Gwanesta said he had nothing to say about Cde Mutasa’s personal statements issued in the press.
“I don’t want to talk about things I don’t know and don’t want to be part of. Ngatimirei ipapo (let’s stop there),” Brig Gen Gwanetsa said.
Another former chairperson for Midlands Province, Cde Jason Machaya, said Cde Mutasa could not have been talking about him because he was not a disgruntled member.
“If you remember, I’m the only one who voluntarily relinquished my position when the party said I should step down. I’m currently working very well with my colleagues in the current executive, so definitely Mutasa is speaking for himself,” Cde Machaya said.
Cde Machaya was forced out of his position following a vote of no confidence passed by the Midlands executive, which accused him of among other misdemeanours of failing to convene executive meetings as stipulated by the party’s constitution that the executive must meet at least once every month. He was also accused of fanning factionalism and boycotting provincial rallies held to introduce party members to the provincial executive office holders.
Former Matabeleland South provincial chair and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Cde Andrew Langa, said the press statement issued by Cde Mutasa was nonsensical in that he sought to distance himself from the 6th National People’s Congress, which he actively mobilised and organised as the secretary for administration.
“I’m a bona fide member of Zanu-PF who listens to what my leader Gushungo says. I accepted the decision of the party to relinquish my position and I continue being an ordinary card-carrying member of the party, and I’m in no way disgruntled. He is definitely not representing my interests,” Cde Langa said.
However, former Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Cde Temba Mliswa said Cde Mutasa had a democratic right as a citizen of Zimbabwe to express his views on any issue of national importance.
“I support Cde Mutasa’s right in expressing those sentiments. He raised serious (and) pertinent constitutional issues that he claims were violated. Who am I to question his right to freedom of expression when he says he is the founding member of Zanu-PF,” said Cde Mliswa.
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