HOME AFFAIRS Minister and Zanu PF chairman for Mashonaland Central province Kazembe Kazembe on Monday night allegedly demanded the opening of a local bar in Chiweshe after the burial of a party official in a bid get support from ZANU PF youths.
This comes amid worsening relations between rival party factions in Mashonaland Central with Kazembe, who has fallen out of favour with the rank and file of the party, fighting by the skin of his teeth to save his position.
A source familiar with the incident said in a desperate attempt Kazembe ordered the opening of Botsvana bar for the whole Monday night.
“We attended the funeral of our party member Durai Mandaza at Nzvimbo growth point when Kazembe arrived a group of youths came to him shouting and singing his praises ahead of the provincial forthcoming elections,” the source said.
The youths demanded the Minister to order the opening of a local bar so that the youths can drink and marry all night and in a sign of desperation of power Kazembe barred the police from closing the bar.
Kazembe refused to comment saying he does not want to be misquoted.
However, some bar owners in Chiweshe sharpened their knives against Kazembe.
“It is very sad that Kazembe only allowed one bar to operate while we were ordered to close, he should not show favoritism to one bar,” said the source.
Campaigns for provincial elections are now at an advanced stage in Mashonaland Central with all aspiring candidates taking the opportunity and stage provided by funerals, meetings and churches gatherings to canvass for support.
