NINE of Zanu-PF’s ten provinces have endorsed the sacking of the former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the axe hangs over his allies accused of fanning factionalism in aid of his ambition to succeed President Mugabe.
President Mugabe on Monday fired Mnangagwa with immediate effect over allegations of, among other things, disloyalty, disrespect, deceit and unreliability.
Announcing the decision at a press briefing in Harare, the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Simon Khaya Moyo, said Mnangagwa’s discharge of duties had become inconsistent with his official responsibilities.
Yesterday, Matabeleland South, North, Harare held respective meetings of the Provincial Coordinating Committees and joined other provinces in endorsing the firing of Mnangagwa and proposing that Dr Grace Mugabe takes over the position.
The provinces joined Bulawayo, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Manicaland who have made similar calls while Midlands province is expected to hold its meeting today.
Harare recommended the expulsion of Politburo members Cleveria Chizema and Omega Hungwe and Harare East National Assembly representative Terrence Mukupe while 22 others were recommended for suspension for being part of former VP Mnangagwa’s faction that was working to undermine President Mugabe’s authority.
In Matabeleland South recommendations were also made for the axing of 15 members including State Security Minister Kembo Mohadi and Home Affairs deputy Minister Obedingwa Mguni over allegations of colluding with Mnangagwa.
The recommendations were supported by the provincial women’s league and youth league.
Other members facing the axe include provincial chairman, Rabelani Choeni, central committee members Reni Kibi and Thambudzani Mohadi, Matabeleland South provincial war veterans’ chairman Section Ncube and former Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Minister Abednico Ncube.
Also on the firing line are Never Khanye, William Dhewa, Elizabeth Moyo, Japhet Dube, Mthandazo Sibanda, Cecilia Ndubiwa, Qajiwe Mpande and Sifinini Rona Moyo.
Speaking during the meeting, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial vice chairman, Soul Mahalima Ncube, said the expulsion of the 15 party members were necessary to ensure order and unity within the party.
“The President has dismissed Mnangagwa from being Vice President and as a province we have to do something about his sympathisers who are among us.
Therefore we would like to recommend the expulsion of these 15 members who were working with him.
“As Mat South we endorse and are fully behind His Excellency’s decision to fire Mnangagwa, whom I can’t address as comrade anymore. We are also in full support of the amendment of the constitution to accommodate a female Vice President. We also recommend the elevation of First Lady Dr Amai Mugabe to the position of Vice President,” said Ncube.
He said Mnangagwa’s sympathisers within the province were blocking party development projects. He said once they were expelled from the party, it would be possible for the province to develop.
Ncube said the province was not concerned with the President’s age but his high level of intelligence and wisdom which could be seen through his great leadership.
“As we forge ahead, the party needs unity and the dismissal of Mnangagwa and his sympathisers will ensure this happens. We have recommended that only 15 get expelled but I know that there are others that we didn’t mention.
“If your name wasn’t mentioned here yet you know what you are doing. I would urge you to take this as a warning. Make sure that you correct your ways because we won’t hesitate to dismiss people that want to divide our party,” he said.
Ncube said former VP Mnangagwa and his sympathisers had shown great disrespect by mobilising a crowd to boo the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe during the Youth Interface Rally in Bulawayo last Saturday. He said the province did not condone such behaviour.
Matabeleland South provincial Zanu-PF Women’s League chairperson Sister Moyo and Youth League provincial vice chairman, Mr Lizwe Moyo, also declared their full support for the recommendations.
In Matabeleland North, the province welcomed the dismissal of Mnangagwa and called for Dr Mugabe’s elevation to the position of Vice President.
Party provincial chairman Richard Moyo hailed the province for staying away from factional politics.
“I want to thank you, from politburo members, central committee members, national consultative members, provincial executive committee in the province, women and youths. You don’t embarrass us as Matabeleland North. You don’t involve yourself in matters that you don’t understand. Stay put, you will be rewarded for your commitment to the party,” said Moyo.
He said the province had resolved: “That Robert Gabriel Mugabe will remain the sole candidate for the 2018 general elections.
“We also reiterate that there is only one centre of power. The province is also in agreement with the removal of ED Mnangagwa from the position of Vice President of the party and Government because of gross indiscipline, disloyalty and insubordination to the President of the State and party.
“The province also resolved that the party implement the resolution that was passed at the Victoria Falls National People’s Conference and in Masvingo that one of the Vice Presidents be a woman. Further the province resolved that the position be occupied by secretary of Women Affairs Dr Amai Grace Mugabe.”
Midlands province will hold a meeting today amid reports that some party youths had already started efforts to repossess party vehicles from Mnangagwa’s loyalists including Mbizo legislator, Usheunesu Mpereri.
Party provincial chairman, Daniel Mackenzie Ncube yesterday confirmed the incident calling for calm in the province. “There has been tension with calls from every end with people saying let’s fire this one because he belongs to this or that faction but we have called for a PCC meeting to deliberate on the matter. I have reiterated that lets bury our differences and work as a party. This is my constant appeal,” he said.
Ncube said there were clandestine meetings taking place in the province with people plotting against each other, a development which he said sends a wrong signal to the party’s highest decision making body.
“We are heading for crucial times and I have said this again and again, lets bury our differences and if our tomorrow’s PCC meeting succeeds, these are some of the issues we want to discuss while preaching unity, unity, and unity. This is what the President has taught us. Let us not deviate,” he said.
In Masvingo, the provincial co-ordinating committee recommended the expulsion of national secretary for production and labour Josaya Hungwe, deputy secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana, deputy secretary for security Lovemore Matuke and Central Committee member Clemence Makwarimba.
The meeting also called for the ouster of the Zanu-PF provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira for leading the onslaught to undermine President Mugabe in the province.
Manicaland province recommended the expulsion of 38 members allegedly linked to Mnangagwa’s faction, among them three Politburo members namely Oppah Muchinguri, Patrick Chinamasa and Chris Mushohwe.
Other notable members recommended for expulsion include Mike Madiro, Joshua Sacco, Moses Gutu, Winnie Mlambo, Joseph Mujati, Christopher Chingosho, Alice Chitima, Oliver Mandipaka, Gorden Chikwanda, Timothy Mapungwana, Monica Mutsvangwa, Ellen Gwaradzimba, Tasin Dube, Hubert Nyanhongo and Judith Mawire.
Mashonaland West recommended the expulsion of Politburo member Prisca Mupfumira and Zvimba West National Assembly member Ziyambi Ziyambi.
The Mashonaland East province recommended that Joel Biggie Matiza and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Marbel Chinomona be fired for fanning factionalism in the province while 12 members are to be investigated for links with Mnangagwa.