Confusion surrounds the alleged ouster of Zanu PF Mashonaland East chairperson Joel Biggie Matiza as wrangling camps proffer different versions over the current status of the provincial executive after two rival camps issued votes of no-confidence against each other.
by XOLISANI NCUBE
Matiza, who is allegedly linked to a faction supporting Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was kicked out as chairperson on Saturday on allegations of undermining Provincial Affairs minister Ambrose Mutinhiri and fanning factionalism, among other issues.
But hours later, he turned the tables on the officials who had removed him and fired them instead.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said the national leadership had not yet been briefed on the matter and referred further questions to the party secretary for the commissariat, Saviour Kasukuwere.
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“The matter has not been brought to our attention for consideration, but ask the secretary for commissariat for finer details because he is the one who deals with party structures and might have an understanding,” Khaya Moyo said.
A faction linked to First Lady Grace Mugabe, known as Generation 40 or G40, is accused of trying to rid Zanu PF structures of Mnangagwa’s sympathisers in the battle to succeed Mugabe.
Grace’s name was mentioned as one of the reasons for the shake-up.
Kasukuwere, however, said as far as he was concerned, all elected officials remained in office from the provincial chair down to the district level and all challenges facing the province would be dealt with.
“All elected officials remain in their position, from provincial chair to district, as per the elections conducted by Mai (Edna) Madzongwe. The party will examine all the allegations and issues bedevilling the province,” Kasukuwere said.
The party’s commissariat said all those with grievances should use party structures to bring them to the attention of the party leadership.
Insiders said Matiza might survive at least for now, but hawks in the faction-riddled party were out to ensure that he does not stay long and they were likely to use the impending visit by the First Lady in the province to unleash his political downfall.
“Once the First Lady visits the province anytime soon, his days will be numbered as the provincial chair. He has to make peace with those who want him out or else he will fall,” a source in the provincial executive said.
Matiza, the former Provincial Affairs minister, reportedly has the backing of Airforce chief Perrance Shiri.
Matiza was initially kicked out along with youth chairperson Kelvin Mutsvairo, Herbert Shumbamhini, Tendai Mangwiro, Apolonia Munzverengi (chairperson of women’s league) and her deputy Leany Gororo.
He was elected about two months ago before Mugabe removed him as Provincial Affairs minister in a Cabinet reshuffle.