Zanu PF Masvingo backs Togarepi

MASVINGO—The Zanu PF provincial youth league here has thrown its weight behind the embattled national youth league boss Pupurai Togarepi who was given a vote of no confidence last week on charges of incompetence, disloyalty and sabotage, among others.

The Gutu South legislator and Zanu PF chief whip stands accused of sabotaging President Emmerson Mnangagwa and conniving with the opposition to have him impeached.

Togarepi has buried his head in the sand avoiding making statements to the media but the provincial youth league here has vowed to stand by their leader saying the charges are all trumped up and aimed at usurping power from Masvingo.

Provincial youth league boss Brian Munyoro refused to pre-empt their position saying they are just watching from a distance before issuing a statement.

“This was done at national level so as provinces we just received the news like everyone else. We are advised by our senior leadership not to comment on national issues. We await the findings of the national disciplinary committee,” said Munyoro.

However, other members of the youth league provincial executive came out guns blazing saying the zezurus are back at it again trying to usurp powers from Masvingo.

“It is unfortunate that we are back to our old politics which we thought died with the old dispensation. What has Togarepi done to be given a vote of no confidence?

“As Masvingo we were never consulted and we have no input whatsoever in that vote of no confidence so we hope our leader will be cleared of any wrong doing,” said one provincial youth league executive.

Another member said they will demonstrate in solidarity with Togarepi if they push through with their vote of no confidence.

“Togarepi has taken a lot for President Mnangagwa and he was once fired for supporting him. Why would he turn against him now? This is just tribal politics at play and we will not let go of our post,” said another member.

The 56 year old youth leader’s case will be pleaded before the Zanu PF’s national disciplinary committee but various Zanu PF members are said to have already started jostling for his post among them deputy information minister Energy Mutodi, former deputy minister Terrence Mukupe and Gokwe Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

At the height of the internal Zanu PF factional fights between Lacoste and G40, Togarepi was dethroned and replaced by his deputy Kudzanai Chipanga for belonging to the former faction only to bounce back after the military intervention that ushered in a new dispensation led by Mnangagwa.