Zanu-PF meets to probe demos at party Bulawayo HQ

The PCC convened a meeting which was chaired by acting chairman, Cde Killian Sibanda, to discuss  outstanding issues.
Some of the outstanding issues were the delay in the holding of District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections, which members said were long overdue, preparations for the Independence celebrations, the President’s visit to the province during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair this month, presentation of the new indigenisation and empowerment committee and an item on the farming implements that were recently discovered lying idle.

The provincial members resolved that the item on implements be set aside for another day as it needed enough time and Cde Sibanda declined comment on the issue after the meeting,                     saying it needed to be discussed first as it was sensitive.
Provincial members demanded answers on why the circular on DCC elections, which was sent to all the provinces on 2 January, was only                             read to everyone for the first time in Tuesday’s meeting.

They wanted to know who had kept the circular when other provinces were holding elections, which according to the circular, were supposed to be held before the end of February.
“Tell us where the letter was? Was it in Harare or it was being kept somewhere here?” asked a member from the floor.

There were stunning revelations that there were some senior leaders who were mobilising some youths to demonstrate against the PCC decision to suspend Cde Dakamela.

Some alleged there was a house in Cowdray Park where people aligned to Cde Dakamela were meeting everyday allegedly to plot on how they could handle his suspension.
Provincial members expressed concern over events happening in Bulawayo Province, saying it was a sign of lack of respect and discipline by some members.
“There has never been such chaos here. It shows indiscipline and lack of respect. It is then better to suspend everyone and remain with 10 loyal members,” said a provincial member.

They called for an investigation of the people involved to establish who sent them to demonstrate.
“How can somebody who is not even known by his neighbour mobilise people in Cowdray Park to demonstrate? Comrades, let us start building the party now or else we will confront each other. We hear there is a house in Cowdray Park where these people convene their meetings.
“We have a constitution which spells out how we conduct ourselves when we defend our people when they are in trouble and not this way. Those people are definitely not from any of our districts and we should investigate those in DCC1 to establish who sent them,” said former councillor Cde Stars Mathe, a resident of

Cowdray Park.

In response, DCC1 chairman Cde Luka Phakathi defended his area, saying it had no hand in the incident.
“DCC1 has no hand in that incident, we are reliably informed that there are people behind this and we have the names here,” said Cde Phakathi.
The atmosphere was tense until Politburo member, Cde Eunice Sandi-Moyo, intervened and suggested the names be given to Cde Sibanda for analysis.
Cde Sandi-Moyo said she was saddened by the fact that some provincial leaders had taken sides with one of the “factions” in the issue, saying that would disturb investigations.

“This is not the place for that. DCC1 wants to defend itself, which is fine but let us have the chair look at them first. There has to be an investigation before the people involved are mentioned and brought to book,” she said.
Cde Sandi-Moyo was seconded by Central Committee member, Cde Molly Mpofu, who urged the provincial leadership to solve its problems without involving

Politburo and Central Committee members.
The provincial leadership officially read to members letters confirming the decision taken last month to pass a vote of no confidence in Cde Dakamela, whom they are accusing of lack of transparency, insubordination, defiance and indiscipline.
Cde Sibanda said the letters were not meant to prosecute Cde Dakamela but were meant to inform the party’s national leadership and to institute investigations on the allegations.

The decision was ratified by the senior leadership and Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube who said: “We support the decision of the majority.”
It was suggested that the provincial leadership investigates the issue and that it should summon those leaders who had taken sides on the suspension of Cde Dakamela.

As a way forward on DCC elections, members agreed the provincial leadership should facilitate setting up of cell structures and then invite Politburo members to verify and when they approve, then hold the elections.
Meanwhile, the organising committee on Independence Day Celebrations said preparations were well on course for the event that will be held at White City Stadium on 18 April.