via Chombo threatens chiefs over Mliswa – NewsDay Zimbabwe April 15, 2015
ZANU PF secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo has reportedly threatened traditional chiefs to stop supporting former Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa in the upcoming June 10 by-elections, while political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said the defiant former fitness trainer would be taught a lifetime lesson in the polls.
Mliswa was fired from Zanu PF before he was recalled from Parliament recently for allegedly belonging to former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s camp which has been accused of plotting to dislodge President Robert Mugabe from power.
Following his ouster, Mliswa filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate and he will face Zanu PF candidate Keith Guzah in the crunch by-election.
Mliswa, who has expressed confidence in reclaiming the seat, claimed traditional leaders, war veterans and thousands of disgruntled Zanu PF members were behind him.
But according to an audio recording availed to NewsDay, Chombo was recorded as ordering traditional leaders to shun Mliswa.
“I know some have been possessed by the evil spirit from Temba, that spirit of revolting against the government. Chiefs, headmen, village heads (must) govern together with the government and not with someone who was fired from the ruling Zanu PF,” said Chombo according to the recording in the possession of NewsDay.
Over the years, Zanu PF has been accused of abusing traditional chiefs so that they influence the outcome of elections, especially in rural areas.
Meanwhile, Mliswa and his four campaign team members who were arrested for allegedly disrupting a Zanu PF rally at Sengwe business centre in Hurungwe on Sunday were released without charge yesterday.
His co-accused included Zanu PF Harare provincial youth chairman Jimmy Kunaka from Mbare, Munyaradzi Mugomedza, Farai Kuvheya and Prosper Gavanga.
Before their release, a group of suspected Zanu PF youths stormed the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court calling for Mliswa to remain in custody.
ZANU PF secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo has reportedly threatened traditional chiefs to stop supporting former Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa in the upcoming June 10 by-elections, while political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said the defiant former fitness trainer would be taught a lifetime lesson in the polls.
The placard-waving youths threatened to grab Mliswa’s Spring Farm in Karoi and labelled him a criminal.
The commotion forced Chinhoyi magistrate Ignatius Mugova to leave the courtroom and plead with the youths to stop disrupting the court hearing before he called anti-riot police to drive them away.
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