The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
The Zanu-PF Manicaland youth executive wants secretary for youth affairs in the Politburo, Cde Kudzanai Chipanga, recalled for allegedly causing disunity and bringing First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe’s name into disrepute.
Provincial youth commissar, Cde Washington Zihwihwi yesterday said: “When we lobbied for Cde Chipanga to be deputy youth secretary, we felt we would benefit, but this has not been the case. Cde Chipanga is using his position to divide the party.
“He is also bringing the name of the First Lady into dispute by lying that she instructed the firing of certain provincial executive members.”
Cde Chipanga said: “I am aware some members of the youth executive are being used by a senior Politburo member to destabilise the party.
“Instead of wasting our energy on undermining each other, we should focus on the implementation of Zim-Asset. I will only pay homage to President Mugabe and the First Lady.”
Two camps have emerged in the provincial executive as two Press conferences were called on Friday night.
The first was at Zanu-PF provincial headquarters and the other at provincial youth secretary for finance, Cde Gertrude Mutandi’s house.
At the first press conference, youth vice-chairperson, Cde Mubuso Chinguno who was flanked by the secretary for legal affairs, Cde Taurai Chiripamberi and secretary for security, Cde Rinashe Chinamasa announced the suspension of the youth provincial chairman, Cde Kelvin Manyengavana.
Barely an hour later, our Mutare Bureau was phoned for another press conference at Cde Mutandi’s house where the secretary for information and publicity, Cde Gibson Mupeti announced the vote-of-no confidence on Cdes Chinguno, Victor Saunyama (secretary for administration) and Chinamasa.
He said,“We met today (Friday) where as youths we resolved that the four including Cde Manyengavana should be suspended from the party for undermining the youth executive.
“25 members of the provincial executive have signed a petition to have the four suspended for causing factionalism in our executive. “
However, Cde Chinguno “last night maintained he was still the acting provincial youth chair.
“The meeting that passed a vote of no confidence on Cde Manyengavana was above board.
“However, the same participants got money and beer from Gertrude Mutandi to sign a petition against us.
“We condemn the statements that have been made, and now await the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee on the matter.”
