Suspended Zanu PF Matabeleland North acting chairman Zwelitsha Masuku has been barred from the weekend election of a new provincial chairman.
Masuku, who would have gone to the weekend Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting as the favourite to clinch the post, was on Tuesday written a letter of prohibition barring him from taking part in Zanu PF activities.
He was suspended in November last year over charges of breaching party regulations.
But the way in which the matter is being handled has left many party members convinced Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo was fighting Mines and Mining Development minister Obert Mpofu for control of party structures.
Masuku is from Mpofu’s Umguza constituency. “Masuku was written a letter of prohibition by Khaya Moyo and received it yesterday (on Tuesday),” a source said.
“The letter barred him from taking part in any party activities.
“The letter also advised him that he was no longer allowed on any Zanu PF premises until the finalisation of his matter.”
The move has further ignited speculation that Khaya Moyo was indirectly fighting Mpofu.
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“What Khaya Moyo did was in breach of party protocol, the person who was supposed to write that letter is Zanu PF secretary for administration (Didymus Mutasa),” the source added.
“Khaya Moyo’s involvement in the matter shows that he is somewhat interested in the matter.”
No comment could be obtained from Masuku. Khaya Moyo declined to comment on the matter, saying: “I do not discuss rumours.”
When told that there was a feeling among party members that he was elbowing Masuku out of the election race to frustrate Mpofu’s swelling popularity among party structures, Khaya Moyo said: “What is the link between Masuku and Mpofu?
“Mpofu is in the politburo and Masuku in the central committee, please do not raise these silly things with me. You want me to discuss rumours?”
Asked if there was any bad blood between him and Mpofu, Khaya Moyo said: “I was not born yesterday. “I was not born this morning, so I will not be dragged into discussing such nonsense.”
“Please do not bring such nonsensical issues to me.” Mpofu yesterday declined to comment on the matter, saying: “I do not know anything, why don’t you talk to Masuku the person involved in the matter?”
Unconfirmed reports say the battle for the chairmanship position will now pit party provincial spokesperson Jonathan Mathuthu, husband of Matabeleland North governor Sithokozile Mathuthu, and provincial secretary for administration as well as Bubi MP Clifford Sibanda.
Zanu PF Matabeleland North has been without a substantive chairperson since the sacking of war veteran Zenzo Ncube from the post in November 2010.
