Mutasa expulsion hailed

Cletus Mushanawani News Editor
MANICALAND has welcomed the expulsion of former Zanu-PF secretary for administration Mr Didymus Mutasa and his nephew, Mr Temba Mliswa, saying the two had become the law unto themselves and have no room in the revolutionary party. Zanu-PF’s Politburo met in Harare on Wednesday where the decision to expel the two was passed, with the party’s spokesperson, Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo, announcing that by-elections will be held in the two’s constituencies.

Interviewed party members said the expulsions were long overdue and no one would shed a tear for Mr Mutasa who is on record dismissing the highly successful 6th National People’s Congress held in Harare in December as a non-event.

Despite warnings from President Mugabe for Mr Mutasa to follow internal processes in tabling his grievances, the former secretary for administration remained adamant saying he would follow the legal route.

Central Committee member and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, said their prayers had been answered and Mr Mutasa is now where he rightfully belongs, in the political wilderness.

“I was among the first people to call for Mutasa’s expulsion and I am happy that the party’s leadership has heeded our call to get rid of rogue elements from our party. This is a welcome development, which was long overdue. You cannot keep your enemy closer to you. Mutasa is now free to pursue his treacherous dreams outside the party and we want to see who will follow him there. He proved not to be one of us, and who are we to shed tears for renegades?

“We now have total freedom in Manicaland because the tyrant is gone. He was behind the persecution and suffering of some innocent cadres in the province. He used to throw his weight around and his departure will serve as a lesson to others that no one is more supreme than the party,” she said.

Another Central Committee member from Buhera, Cde Saul Nzuma, said Mr Mutasa’s ouster was the best news for Manicaland this year.
“Our leaders have proved that they are people oriented. As a province we unanimously agreed on the expulsion of Mutasa during our co-ordination committee meeting and the Politburo has fulfilled our wishes. The Headlands by-election should be held as soon as possible because we want to have a leader who has the constituency at heart.

“We were not free to express our views during meetings because Mutasa’s will always prevailed. As Manicaland freedom has finally come and I can tell you that the party is now stronger than before. I also want to take this opportunity to wish our mother of the nation, the First Lady, Dr Amai Mugabe, a speedy recovery as she is the one who showed us the way to weed out all rotten elements in our midst.

“Mutasa should gracefully join his colleagues like Rugare Gumbo, Jabulani Sibanda and Themba Mliswa who are all rouble rousers. You cannot personalise the party like that. I am sure our ancestors are also joining us in celebrating the ouster of these bad apples because they are in the same league like Morris Nyathi, who sold out at Nyadzonia in Mozambique during the liberation struggle,” said Cde Nzuma.

Acting Manicaland provincial spokesperson and Buhera West legislator, Cde Oliver Mandipaka, said: “The Politburo decision was long awaited. We thank God that the people’s wishes prevailed. Manicaland will now enjoy peace with party programmes running smoothly. Everyone will be working in unison without fear or favour. This is a welcome development which everyone here in Manicaland applauds.”

Deputy provincial youth chairperson, Cde Mubuso Chinguno, said they had received the news of Mr Mutasa’s expulsion with great joy.
“All divisive elements in the  party should be shown the exit door. We want disciplined cadres in Zanu-PF who follow protocol. Godfathers have no room in our party and Mutasa’s expulsion is what the doctor rightfully prescribed because he was just a thorn in the flesh of many people especially here in Manicaland.

“As youths in Manicaland, we strongly rally behind the party leadership and as the vanguard of the party we will fight all those who want to topple our leadership. We are also continuing with our call to have Mutasa’s blue-eyed boys booted out of the party so that it will be a lesson to all those who harbour counter-revolutionary thoughts that the party’s axe will fall on them,” said Cde Chinguno.