More heavyweights face the chop

via More heavyweights face the chop | The Herald 2 December 2014

AS the crunch zanu-pf National People’s Congress begins with a Politburo meeting in Harare today, indications are that more party heavyweights are likely to fall by the wayside for their alleged involvement in the plot to unconstitutionally oust President Mugabe from power.

War veterans in Matabeleland South Province have demanded the ouster of national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, while in Masvingo the zanu-pf Masvingo provincial executive council recommended the withdrawal of Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister and Politburo member Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti from the Central Committee list.

zanu-pf Politburo member and Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi also came under fire from traditional leaders and war veterans in Mashonaland East who accused him of being part of Vice President Joice Mujuru’s faction that has been plotting to topple, and even assassinate the President.

Already, big names like VP Mujuru herself and her close confidantes among them Cdes Webster Shamu, Nicholas Goche, Didymus Mutasa, Ray Kaukonde, Walter Mzembi and Francis Nhema failed to secure Central Committee seats after being rejected by the people.

The national traditional inheritance, Kingdom, Chieftainships and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association in Mashonaland East yesterday also demanded that Cde Sekeremayi be booted out.

They said Cde Sekeramayi was the point man for VP Mujuru’s faction who was misleading the Politburo about developments in the party, especially in Mashonaland East Province.

“It is known that he (Cde Sekeramayi) is one of the remaining people who have been planning to topple President Mugabe,” said leader of the Kingdom, Chief Nehoreka in Harare yesterday.

“He caused the arrest of war veterans who went to push Ray Kaukonde out when he phoned Minister Kembo Mohadi to order that they be arrested.

“He also removed Cde Patrick Makombe who had been selected by the war veterans to be the acting chairperson by imposing Phineas Chiota who is also part of their gamatox team.

“We want Sekeremayi out. He has overstayed his welcome by conniving to turn against the President.”

In Masvingo, Cde Bhasikiti was implicated in fanning factionalism in the province and also protecting Western-linked companies suspected of being involved in attempts to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.

The Masvingo provincial affairs minister was narrowly elected into the Central Committee during last Tuesday elections after he beat Cde Cuthbert Muzara by 73 votes to 69 in the fight for one of Mwenezi District’s three slots.

Cde Muzara was recommended to take Cde Bhasikiti’s place.

Zanu-PF acting Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Paradzai Chakona said they had forwarded the recommendation for Cde Bhasikiti’s withdrawal from the Central Committee.

Cde Chakona said the provincial council also passed a vote of no confidence on Gutu South National Assembly Member Dr Paul Chimedza and his Gutu West counterpart Cde Tongai Muzenda who were members of the provincial executive.

Dr Chimedza was secretary for health while Cde Muzenda was secretary for Social Welfare and the Disabled.

The two were given the boot for promoting factionalism in the party and for being part of those plotting to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.

Also given the chop was Chiredzi West House of Assembly member Cde Darlington Chiwa and his Chiredzi East counterpart Cde Denford Masiya who were members of the provincial executive.

Cde Chiwa, who was secretary for business and liaison development and Cde Masiya, the secretary for security, were accused of being part of people who discussed plans to assassinate President Mugabe.

In Matabeleland South war veterans demanded the removal of Cde Khaya Moyo whom they accused of snubbing Amai Grace Mugabe’s Meet the People Tours around the country recently among other accusations.

Cde Khaya Moyo is accused of failing to denounce the renegades, a charge that was denied by a director in his office — Cde Kizito Kuchekwa — who said as national chairman Cde Khaya Moyo chaired the disciplinary committee that has been punishing the renegades and as interim spokesperson he was announcing their punishment.