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Zvamaida Murwira : Harare Bureau
THE Zanu-PF Youth League last night passed a vote of no confidence in its secretary and Politburo member, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, and two other senior officials in the wing.Two members of the executive who had a vote of no confidence passed on them were Cdes Lewis Matutu, who is the secretary for administration, and his deputy Sibongile Sibanda.
The revolutionary youth wing’s deputy secretary, Cde Shadreck Chipanga, confirmed the development last night.
“The Zanu-PF Youth League executive met and passed a vote of no confidence against Cdes Togarepi, Matutu and Sibanda,” said Cde Chipanga.
He declined to elaborate the reasons for the vote of no confidence saying the wing’s information department was preparing a statement to be issued today.
Asked about the legal basis of the League passing a vote of no confidence in Cde Togarepi, who was appointed in that portfolio by President Mugabe, Cde Chipanga said: “I’m merely telling you what has happened in our meeting. Our information department will prepare a full statement to the media tomorrow on those issues.”
On who had chaired the meeting Cde Chipanga said: “Cde Togarepi chaired the meeting but later left and handed over to me.”
A source who attended the meeting said Togarepi addressed the meeting and stated that he had “a lot to deal with at the moment” and felt he could not go on leading the Youth League.
“He said he wanted to rush and see President Mugabe before his departure for India, to see if he can be reassigned. It was a most strange thing to say. Once he had left, the 33 members present voted 32-1 to express our dissatisfaction with his leadership. A lady from the Midlands voted against the motion,” a League official who declined to be named said last night.
Cde Togarepi’s son, Gabriel, of the ZILIWACO Trust, was expelled from the party alongside other youth leaders during last Thursday’s Politburo meeting for disrespecting President Mugabe and First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe.
Those expelled were: Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godfrey Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Kumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo), Edmore Samambwa (Midlands), Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North), Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South).
Gabriel (Togarepi) was expelled together with seven other youth leaders representing various associations aligned to Zanu-PF.
These included Tonderai Chidawu (ZICOSU), Norest Makururu (Youth in Mining), Collin Machingura (Youth in Farming), Memory Masengu (Youth Against Sanctions), Absolom Madusiri (Youth Service Graduates) and Innocent Mhlanga (Children of War Veterans).
Cde Togarepi said last night: “I’m an appointee of the President and I’m not authorised to issue a statement unless His Excellency has authorised me to do so. Only the President is the one who can decide my fate. At the moment, I don’t know anything about what you’re asking me about.”
He referred further questions to Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo. Cde Khaya-Moyo said he had not been briefed about the meeting.
“Somebody has called me asking me about the same issue. Frankly, I’ve not been briefed about that. Get in touch with me tomorrow, maybe I would have full information,” said Cde Khaya-Moyo.
The National Disciplinary Committee chaired by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is expected to consider the vote of no confidence in due course. Interestingly, Cde Togarepi is also a member of the party’s NDC alongside Women’s League boss Cde Grace Mugabe, national commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere and Cde Patrick Chinamasa.
Online Reporter