admin
Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
THE Zanu-PF leadership in Masvingo has passed a vote of no confidence in acting chairperson Cde Paradzai Chakona. He faced allegations that include fanning factionalism and misusing party vehicles.
Provincial secretary for administration Cde Ezra Chadzamira told The Chronicle that the provincial executive committee sat on Friday and passed the decision, which was upheld by the provincial executive council. He said Cde Chakona’s behaviour violated the principles of the party.
Cde Chadzamira said Cde Chakona will be replaced by Cde Amasa Nhenjana who will be acting chairman until a substantive executive is ushered in during provincial elections expected soon. “I can confirm that we’ve relieved Cde Chakona of his duties as acting chairperson of the province. He was found guilty of unproceduraly taking party vehicles for his personal benefit as well as fanning factionalism in the party,” said Cde Chadzamira.
He alleged that Cde Chakona was using his position to divide people and working with suspended members to preside over elections of the lower structures of the party held recently in Chiredzi.
He said a report on Cde Chakona’s ouster had been sent to the party’s national disciplinary committee which has a final say on whether to uphold the decision or not.
“Cde Chakona took vehicles from Bikita and Zaka districts to his farm. When the vehicles were in his possession, he started to use them for his own personal benefit without the knowledge of the party,” he said.
Cde Chakona confirmed his ouster in an interview with The Chronicle but refuted the allegations levelled against him.
He however, accepted his fate saying the move by about 35 out of a total of 50 was constitutional.
“I can confirm that a vote of no confidence was passed in me over a myriad of allegations which are unfounded. I’m being accused of fanning factionalism and taken as someone belonging to Gamatox yet I don’t,” said Cde Chakona.
He said members expressed unhappiness with his involvement in trying to address squabbles in Chiredzi with some accusing him of having interests there.
“I called a review meeting on the ongoing restructuring organs in the lower structures on Friday after which some raised a number of allegations against me. They were unhappy with the way I’m handling Chiredzi issues especially involving suspended members that include former chairman Callisto Gwanetsa, Chiredzi West MP Cde Darlington Chiwa and others,” he said.
“I respect the decision because when your members say they no-longer like you, there’s nothing you can do.”
Cde Chakona denied using party vehicles for personal use, saying, “There’s only one vehicle for Zaka District at my farm but it’s not moving. I was entitled to the one I’m using as acting chairman.”
Cde Chakona said he spend about $2,500 to repair the car which had been grounded at the time it was given to him by the party. He was seconded to the acting chair position after the ouster of former chairman Cde Gwanetsa who was fired for fanning factionalism and belonging to the Joice Mujuru cabal.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said: “I haven’t seen the report as I was in Cabinet. I can only comment after going through it.”
Online Reporter