Another chairwoman bites the dust

via Another chairwoman bites the dust | The Herald November 15, 2014

Zanu-PF’s Harare Women’s League provincial executive committee yesterday kicked out its chairwoman Cde Angeline Matambanadzo in a vote of no confidence for fanning factionalism and undermining the authority of President Mugabe.

This came as the party’s provincial executive for Mashonaland Central also passed a vote of no confidence in vice chairperson Cde Sydney Chidamba and secretary for administration Cde Joseph Mapiki over the same allegations yesterday.

In Harare, the Women’s League committee members replaced Cde Matambanadzo with her deputy Cde Miriam Chikukwa in an interim capacity. A total of 29 executive members out of 38 signed the vote of no confidence at the party’s provincial headquarters.

Provincial Women’s League secretary for legal affairs Cde Ratidzo Mukarati, who read the statement on behalf of the executive members, accused Cde Matambanadzo of bringing the party into disrepute by being aligned to a faction.

“In terms of Article 29 section 251 — general provisions relating to vote of no confidence as applied with Article 20 Sections 171 and 172 of the party’s constitution — we do hereby cast a vote of no confidence in the Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairwoman Cde Angeline Matambanadzo as she has indulged in activities and actions meant to cause factionalism in the province and the party,” said Cde Mukarati.

The ouster of Cde Matambanadzo came barely two weeks after Harare provincial chairman Cde Amos Midzi was booted out using the same method and his ouster was confirmed by the Politburo on Thursday.

The Women’s League members accused Cde Matambanadzo of using her authority to intimidate her subordinates and questioned her leadership credentials.

In Mashonaland Central, the party executive replaced Cde Chidamba with secretary for Indigenisation Cde Tendai Kuzvidza, while Cde Wonder Mashange will replace Cde Mapiki. Those who passed the vote of no confidence were 30 out of 49 executive members in the province. Cde Mashange, who read the statement on behalf of the executive members at the Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial headquarters in Bindura, alleged that the two abused power and their positions.

They were also accused of seriously undermining the authority of President Mugabe.

“It was also noted that there was abuse of power and positions through corrupt and extortionist tendencies, which brought the name of the party into disrepute, particularly in Mazowe and Shamva districts,” said Cde Mashange.

“They were fanning divisions and factionalism by presiding over unprocedural suspensions, threatening members with suspensions and instilling fear in members to suppress them from expressing their loyalty and support to President Mugabe.”

Cde Mashange said they were behind President Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe as they go for the party’s National People’s Congress early next month.

Hundreds of supporters gathered at the party headquarters denouncing Cde Chidamba and Cde Mapiki while singing revolutionary songs and holding placards.

Some of the placards were inscribed, “No to factions”, “Gumbo aenda, who is next?”, “Beware Mupanduki”, “President Mugabe for Life”, “Rugare Gumbo’s departure was long overdue”, “Ukarwisana naGushungo Nesu tinoburana big time”, “Chimbomira zvekurota nekuti Gushungo varipo zveupenyu”, and “MaMPs chenjerai kupandutswa muchibatiswa moto nematsotsi aya”.