Journalist-cum-businessman Supa Mandiwanzira has been co-opted as Zanu PF Manicaland provincial treasurer.
Zanu PF Manicaland provincial secretary for administration Kenneth Saruchera confirmed Mandiwanzira’s co-option into the party structures, adding he had replaced Edmore Siwela.
“It’s true Supa Mandiwanzira has been co-opted into the PCC(provincial co-ordinating committe) as the treasurer,” Saruchera told NewsDay on Wednesday.
“The former treasurer has not been attending meetings and as per our constitution, the post was declared vacant.”
He said Mandiwanzira’s post was one of the seven positions that fell vacant after the incumbents were booted out over various reasons.
But Mandiwanzira, whose Zi-FM radio station was granted an operating licence ahead of other independent prospective broadcasters, could neither deny nor confirm the development, saying he was currently out of the country and would only respond on his return next week.
“I am in Italy right now. Why can’t we talk next week when I am back?” Mandiwanzira said.
Other provincial leaders who were kicked out of the party’s provincial executive committee include Retired Brigadier General Elliot Kasu who was provincial spokesperson and his deputy Charles Samuriwo. However, party members speaking on condition of anonymity described Mandiwanzira’s co-option as unconstitutional.
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“It’s clear that the constitution was flouted when they co-opted those people,” a party source said.
“In the case of Mandiwanzira the provincial executive wanted to legitimise its operations, but really no shuffling was needed before elections.” Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Mike Madiro however denied the allegations, saying Mandiwanzira’s co-option was above board.
Madiro described the dissenting voices as “undisciplined party cadres”. Mandiwanzira caused a storm in Parliament recently after he was granted an operating licence alongside Zimpapers’ Star FM ahead of other independent prospective broadcasters. The MPs, mostly from the MDC formations, alleged the two radio stations were given licences because their proprietors were sympathetic to Zanu PF.
