Source: Midlands want summary expulsion of Kasukuwere – DailyNews Live
Mugove Tafirenyika 15 April 2017
HARARE – Midlands bigwigs in President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF want the
party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) to seal national political
commissar Saviour Kasukuwere’s fate without referring his case to the
politburo.
This emerged after the provincial coordinating committee recommended at
its Thursday meeting that the Patrick Chinamasa-led NDC should immediately
demote the Mount Darwin South legislator from his post before the
politburo deliberates on it, against the dictates of the party’s
constitution.
After the Midlands meeting held in Gweru, provincial spokesperson
Cornelius Mupereri told State media that they had indeed recommended that
Kasukuwere be relieved of his duties.
“We had an issue of national PC . . . Kasukuwere. It has been proven that
the PC is involved in the province in the running of parallel structures.
There are people that are not in the party structures that he is giving
instructions to create parallel structures,” Mupereri said.
Sources who attended the meeting told the Daily News yesterday that
Kasukuwere rivals’ desire to bypass the politburo is emanating from their
fear that First Lady Grace Mugabe – believed to be close to the Local
Government minister – would use her influence to block his ouster.
Contacted for comment on the feasibility of the move, Chinamasa said he
will only be able to comment on the matter after the Easter holiday.
“I am in church now, don’t you realise it’s Easter? Don’t you Daily News
guys go to church as well? I will only talk to you on Monday, so good bye
for now,” Chinamasa said yesterday before switching off his phone.
According to the Zanu PF constitution, the NDC is supposed to hand over
its recommendations to the politburo for the final decision.
But regional sources said provinces dominated by vice president Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s allies in the Zanu PF battle to succeed Mugabe, including
Masvingo and Bulawayo that have since drawn up petitions recommending the
ouster of Kasukuwere whom they see as blocking the Midlands godfather’s
mooted presidential ambitions, hope to “finish him off” at the NDC level.
“Chinamasa is Lacoste, so they want him to personally deal with Tyson
because if the matter is taken to the politburo it becomes anybody’s game
because that organ is a mixed bag.
“The first lady could influence things and the moment she sides with
Tyson, it will be difficult for those opposed to him. It can easily be
misconstrued for a challenge on her,” a Midlands provincial member aligned
to the Generation 40 (G40) faction that Kasukuwere is associated with,
said.
The Team Lacoste plan, the insider said, also faces another hurdle in its
bid to have Kasukuwere demoted “because even if they succeed in having
Chinamasa seal his fate, he will still have an opportunity to appeal
through the party’s Appeals Committee chaired by Vice President
Phelekezela Mphoko who sympathises with him”.
Kasukuwere is under the cosh from his political rivals over a slew of
allegations, including allegedly seeking to topple Mugabe, fanning
factionalism, setting up parallel structures, and insulting and
disrespecting the party’s leadership. There have been calls by his foes
for all Zanu PF’s 10 provinces to write petitions to the national
leadership seeking his ouster.
However, other provinces including Mashonaland East, West and Manicaland,
have refused to back the ouster bid.
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