Fireworks are expected in Bulawayo Zanu PF structures this weekend when the party’s national political commissar Webster Shamu descends on the troubled province following the recent “unprocedural” suspension of provincial chairman Isaac Dakamela.
The matter has threatened to split the party with politburo member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu claiming he does not recognise the suspension because it was done without his consent.
Dakamela was suspended two weeks ago by the provincial coordinating committee (PCC) over allegations of corruption and insubordination and replaced by his deputy, Killian Sibanda.
Dakamela has, however, defied the suspension and continued reporting for duty, claiming he had not been served with the letter of suspension.
Party insiders said the PCC will meet this evening to prepare for Shamu’s arrival, although some bigwigs said they were unaware of the meeting.
Soon after Dakamela’s suspension, the politburo, Zanu PF’s highest decision-making body outside congress, tasked Shamu and national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo to investigate the fissures in the province.
“The meeting is on other party programmes. We have not been advised on the date of the commissar’s visit. I will no longer comment on Dakamela as the matter has been forwarded to the elders,” said “acting” chairperson Sibanda.
Contacted for comment, Ndlovu said he was not aware of today’s PCC meeting.
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“I am not aware of any such meeting,” he said. “We are all waiting for the meeting that will be convened by the commissar, Cde Shamu, as per the politburo directive. We have not been informed of the date of the meeting and I suppose when the date has been set the commissar will communicate with the provincial chairman, Dakamela, to inform the rest of us since he is the official communication link between the province and the national leadership.”
But insiders said the meeting was likely to be held on Saturday or Sunday this weekend.
Yesterday, Shamu declined to comment on the matter and accused NewsDay of decampaigning President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.
“Look at all your headlines, it’s either you are insulting the President or Zanu PF. You have now taken a position. Good luck,” he said before hanging up.
