Zanu-PF chairman suspended

Masvingo Bureau
Zanu-PF yesterday suspended the party’s Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Lovemore Matuke for insubordination after he defied a directive not to sign Dr Munyaradzi Kereke’s papers at the nomination court to contest the Bikita West House of Assembly seat on the revolutionary party’s ticket ahead the 31 July polls.

Cde Matuke was suspended together with the party’s provincial secretary for administration Cde Edmund Mhere who also signed Dr Kereke’s papers yet the party’s preferred candidate was Cde Elias Musakwa.

Dr Kereke went on to win the Bikita West seat after prevailing over Cde Musakwa who also contested the election on a Zanu-PF ticket and Mr Heya Shoko of MDC-T.

In the suspension letters written to Cde Matuke and Cde Mhere yesterday,  Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa said the suspension was with immediate effect and meant to facilitate investigations into the charges faced by the two.

The two confirmed receiving the letters of suspension. “I can confirm that I received my letter of suspension today(yesterday) but I cannot say anything more,’’ said Cde Mhere.

Cde Matuke said he had no hard feelings as he was still a member of Zanu-PF. “I received my letter of suspension today from the Secretary for Administration Cde Mutasa but I however want to make it clear that I remain a loyal member of Zanu-PF as my suspension only stops me to continue as the Zanu-PF provincial chairman for Masvingo.

“I still remain a member of the National Consultative Assembly and I have no hard feelings over the decision to suspend me as I feel that my hands are clean,’’ he said.

Cde Matuke said the decision to sign Dr Kereke’s papers was not an individual’s but the party’s provincial co-ordinating committee.
The Gutu Central legislator also claimed that he signed Dr Kereke’s papers under pressure from the people of Bikita West who he said wanted the latter to represent them.

Cde Matuke, who was also interested in seeking re-election as Masvingo provincial chairman said he was not sure whether he will be able to contest the forthcoming provincial committee elections as that depended on how fast his case was dealt with by the Zanu PF disciplinary committee.