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Masvingo Bureau
War veterans here have challenged ousted Zanu-PF provincial chairman Retired Brigadier General Callisto Gwanetsa to stop causing discord and chaos in the revolutionary party by refusing to step down following a vote of no confidence passed on him last Thursday.
Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa was ejected from his position by members of the provincial executive council and replaced by his deputy Cde Paradzai Chakona, who was appointed acting chair.
But Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa convened his own provincial executive council meeting two days later and declared his ouster illegal and a nullity before leading a counter vote of no confidence against Cde Chakona.
Masvingo war veterans provincial chairman Cde Fancis Nando yesterday said Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa was supposed to accept the decision taken by Zanu-PF members to sack him.
Cde Nando said no one was bigger than Zanu-PF, adding that Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa’s refusal to step aside was tantamount to total disrespect for the party’s constitution.
“We are 100 percent behind the vote of no confidence passed against Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa,” he said.
“He should step aside for the good of the party because members said they no longer have confidence in him and there is no point for him to try to continue clinging to power.
“Gwanetsa must simply be obedient to what the party says and wait for the chance to defend himself instead of continuing to pretend to be chairman of Zanu-PF in Masvingo.’’
Cde Nando said the ousted Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman would not be allowed to continue defying the wishes of the majority members.
“He must leave that post because he has shown incapacity.
Cde Gwanetsa committed a lot of mistakes during his stint as party chairman in Masvingo and must step aside for someone else,” he said.
War veterans Masvingo provincial executive committee member Cde Ignatious Murindi said Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa was now causing chaos in Zanu-PF by refusing to accept the no confidence vote.
He said a loyal party cadre would wait for a chance to defend himself or herself instead of causing discord for the sake of retaining power.
“We are worried about developments that are taking place in Zanu-PF because of some people’s insatiable appetite to retain power at all costs,” said Cde Murindi.
“If a vote of no confidence is passed against someone, the person should step aside and wait to clear his or her name through a disciplinary hearing.’’
A Zanu-PF provincial coordinating committee meeting slated for Victoria Junior School had to be abandoned on Sunday following an outbreak of violence sparked by drunken youths who were bused to the meeting.
The youths attacked Cde Chakona’s perceived backers at the meeting.
Hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters also staged a demonstration outside the venue of the meeting against Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa while holding placards denigrating the former Masvingo provincial chairman for failing to lead the party.
Online Reporter