IT never rains but pours for fired Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi after Zanu PF Mashonaland East province on Saturday, barred him from participating in any party activities and discharging any duties in line with the party constitution, Zim Morning Post can report.
Mutodi is the party’s House of Assembly member for Goromonzi West and also a member of the provincial executive.
The ruling party’s Mash East Provincial spokesperson Kenneth Mutiwekuziva made the stunning announcement and stated that it was an unanimous resolution reached after a full provincial executive meeting to decide on Mutodi’s future in the province.
“Following the sacking of Dr Mutodi as a Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity (and Broadcasting Services) by His Excellency Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mashonaland East executive committee sat down and deliberated on the issue and agreed that proper disciplinary action should be carried out,” said Mutiwekuziva.
He further said Mutodi will be served with a written copy of the prohibition order and charge sheet within three weeks as enshrined in the party’s constitution.
The ruling party’s constitution explicitly states that any member with a pending disciplinary hearing is first issued with a prohibition order and charge sheet in writing, within three weeks if the matter is at provincial level.
“The notice of charges shall state the charges and the date and the venue of the hearing of the case by appropriate disciplinary organ.
“The notice shall inform the member being charged of his constitutional rights under article 10 and section 69,” reads part of constitution.
Mutodi was shown the exit door last week, a few days after a public scathing attack on Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo and his former boss Monica Mutsvangwa.
He was responding to his reprimand over his attack on Tanzania’s COVID-19 policies.
He further went on to demean the persons of three MDC activists Joana Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova who were allegedly abducted and dumped in Muchapondwa, Bindura.
He claimed that the three women were practicing commercial sex work with some artisinal miners in Mashonaland Central.
The claim came barely two days after police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga told the nation that the alleged abductions matter was under investigation whose findings will be made public.
Meanwhile, uncharacteristically, Mutodi has remained mum over his sacking with analysts submitting that the motormouth politician was “recalibrating his compass” and aiming to fire back.
“He (Mutodi), is never one to keep quiet and watch.
“He is probably recalibrating his compass preparing to fire vitriol using information he has acquired during his stint within, we are likely to see big exposes by the man,let’s wait and see,” said an analyst who preferred anonymity.