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Zvamaida Murwira and Ngoni Dapira Harare Bureau
THE former Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Cde Dydmus Mutasa, has accelerated his regime change agenda by attempting to rope in Sadc to condemn President Mugabe and the just-ended 6th National People’s Congress.
This comes as the Zanu-PF Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee on Saturday adopted a motion imposing a five-year suspension on all party officials who had a vote of no confidence passed on them.
This development is likely to leave Cde Mutasa and other party bigwigs from the province in the cold.
Cde Mutasa, who is in India where his wife is receiving medical treatment, granted an interview to the pro-opposition South African private media where he sought to discredit the recent congress that ushered in a new party leadership.
In an interview with the Independent on Saturday, Cde Mutasa called South African President Jacob Zuma to alert other regional governments about Zanu-PF’s congress where he and former Vice President Joice Mujuru, among other officials, were ejected both from the revolutionary party and government.
He claimed that their sacking was undemocratic.
Former VP Mujuru and other senior party officials were sacked after they were implicated in a plot to assassinate President Mugabe including allegations of fanning factionalism, abuse of power and high level corruption.
“We refuse to be chucked out of Zanu-PF which some of us have been in for 57 years,” Cde Mutasa was quoted as saying.
“We fought for ‘one man, one vote’ majority rule, which isn’t provided for in the current Zanu-PF constitution adopted at the 6th congress,” Cde Mutasa claimed.
“It gives all votes to the President alone and violates the supreme law of the country. It’s therefore null and void, all that transpired at the 6th congress.”
He added: “We call on Zanu-PF to work as it was before the 6th congress, which was itself unlawful,” Cde Mutasa said.
“We appeal to Sadc to adopt our position. We also appeal to Zimbabweans to remain peaceful as we strive for the democracy that we fought for,” said Cde Mutasa.
Cde Mutasa declined to comment yesterday saying; “I don’t want to talk to you. I told you I don’t want to talk to the Herald.”
Both Zanu-PF spokesperson Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo and secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo could not be reached for comment yesterday.
VP Mujuru has since been replaced by former Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sworn in as Vice President of the country on Friday.
Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial coordinating committee led by acting provincial chairperson Cde Samuel Undenge, unanimously resolved on Saturday to slap a five-year suspension on those who had a vote of no confidence passed on them.
Party provincial Youth League vice-chairman Cde Mubuso Chinguno, moved the motion saying there was need to set a stern example against rogue elements in the party by suspending for five years all such members.
The provincial secretary for legal affairs, Cde Misheck Mugadza, said according to the new party constitution, suspension was possible following allegations that implicated some members in a plot to assassinate President Mugabe.
Cde Undenge said the constitutional route should be followed on the matter. “Yes, the people have agreed by consensus for the suspension of all members who were given a vote of no confidence, but we should do things according to the constitution,” said Cde Undenge after the motion was adopted by consensus.
Zanu-PF Central Committee member and secretary for legal affairs in the Politburo, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, said at the same PCC that among the suspended members who were members of parliament would remain in their positions, but their party positions and powers would be stripped off.
Some of the senior provincial members who had a vote of no confidence passed on them were Cdes Mutasa, provincial chairperson Cde John Shumba Mvundura, his deputy, Retired Brigadier Elliot Kasu, political commissar Retired Major James Kaunye, Cde Nyasha Chikwinya, Cde Joyline Porusingazi and Cde Loveness Mutezo, among others.
Central committee member and Chipinge South legislator Cde Enock Porusingazi had already been suspended for five years.
Politburo member, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, said the clean up exercise in the party was necessary to get rid of rogue elements.
“If you sell out in Zanu-PF you’ll never succeed and that’s what we wanted to expose. Those that were greedy like Cde (Munacho) Mutezo look where it has landed them.
“I saw that rogue elements were creeping into the party which is why I blew my whistle with the assistance of Cde Grace Mugabe.
“We want disciplined members in Zanu-PF and the shake up was really necessary to show people that the party can devour its own children for the necessary good,” said Cde Muchinguri.
Other members in other provinces that fell by the wayside because of their association with Cde Mujuru are Cdes Nicholas Goche, Webster Shamu, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Ray Kaukonde, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Olivia Muchena, Francis Nhema and Simbaneuta Mudarikwa among others.
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