KAROI– Zanu PF is now divided following last week recalling of provincial affairs resident minister and Hurungwe West MP Mary Mliswa-Chikoka as treasurer.
A bid by provincial chairperson Ziyambi Ziyambi on Friday to reverse Mliswa-Chikoka recalling as instructed by secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya-Moyo hit a snag exposing simmering divisions within the ruling party in Mashonaland West province.
Khaya-Moyo called on party members to stop uncalled for suspensions that were fuelling ‘disunity’ in the party.
Khaya-Moyo said the ruling party ‘noted with concern that disciplinary processes raised against party members without following proper procedures as set out in the party’s constitution’
He cited an example of the confusion that rocked the national youth league executive recently. “There are reports of similar actions being initiated in some provinces. These developments have greater potential of fomenting ‘disunity in the party and should stop forthwith.” he said in a statement.
Khaya-Moyo claimed that disunity forces under ‘G40 cabal’ led by former first lady Grace Mugabe used votes of no confidence to purge party members perceived to be against their destabilisation agenda.
However, a bid by Ziyambi to follow Khaya-Moyo statement hit a brick wall here after some Hurungwe members defied his order on Friday.
Sources revealed that Ziyambi called on the meeting in Harare so that they could reverse the decision by the provincial coordinating committee chaired by Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna that ‘booted’ out Mliswa- Chikoka claiming she was not in party structures, linking her to former Zanu PF members among them Saviour Kasukuwere and her brother Themba Mliswa who is independent MP for Norton.
A source revealed that Hurungwe district members are now divided over former deputy minister Reuben Marumahoko elevation as party treasurer.
“They defied Ziyambi’s call and resolved not to reverse the earlier decision to expel Mliswa-Chikoka. Their argument is that it exposes them as incapable of standing on their decision hence the move not listen to Ziyambi call for a truce,” said a provincial member speaking on condition of anonymity.
However, some party insiders are arguing that they jumped the gun by ‘expelling’ Mliswa-Chikoka and replacing her with Marumahoko.
‘In all fairness, the move was uncalled for as Hurungwe West is now on the losing end. Remember Temba Mliswa was provincial chairperson before he was expelled from the party and his predecessor in the same constituency Keith Guzah was elevated to vice chairperson and Guzah was replaced by Mliswa-Chikoka who assumed the provincial treasurer post.
“If the truth was to be told she should have been chairperson or vice. The treasurer post is not as powerful as chairperson post or vice that was held by both Mliswa and Guzah, both from Hurungwe West. This is unfair politically,” added one of our sources.
