A ZANU PF youth league national executive meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Harare nearly degenerated into a fist fight last Friday after members clashed over the dismissal of Manicaland provincial youth chairperson Tawanda Mukodza.
REPORT BY OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
Sources said all hell broke loose after Mukodza, who was recently dismissed over allegations of failing to account for funds donated by diamond-mining companies in the province, sneaked into the meeting and started denouncing the new youth chairperson Kelvin Manyengavana who was already in attendance.
Police officers manning the party offices had to intervene after the youth leaders were divided over who to recognise between Manyengavana and Mukodza.
Zanu PF secretary for youth affairs Absolom Sikhosana confirmed the fracas, but declined to give details saying it was an internal party issue.
“This is being dealt with by party structures. This is an issue for the party and if you have heard about that (fracas) from your sources, then where do I fit in?
“The party has always had those situations and it remains with the party to deal with them. We have our ways of dealing with such issues and those processes are in motion now,” said Sikhosana.
Sources said Mukodza was being backed by a few executive members from Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces, while Manyengavana had the support of other provinces including Sikhosana.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“The misunderstanding degenerated into pushing and shoving. We were disagreeing along our factions. They mobbed Sikhosana and openly challenged him, disrespecting his authority after he tried to call off the meeting. He later managed to leave, but the situation was embarrassing,” one source said.
Zanu PF youth secretary for external affairs Kudzai Chipanga confirmed the incident and said Mukodza should be disciplined.Mukodza and one of the league officials Joshua Sacco refused to comment on the matter.
“We will remain guided by the Manicaland position about Mukodza,” said Chipanga. “Manyengavana is now the substantial chairman and in that meeting we were discussing some important business such as the 21st February Movement celebrations when these guys disrupted everything.
“We are aware that he (Mukodza) is being misled by (provincial chairman Mike) Madiro with whom he is being accused of defrauding some companies in Chiadzwa. We need order in our party. The party is bigger than individuals.”
