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Zanu PF crisis deepens

Politics
ZANU PF deputy provincial chairman Killian Sibanda was at the weekend summoned by the police to clarify a case where a party member was being accused of fraudulently seeking a donation of 72 loaves of bread.

ZANU PF deputy provincial chairman Killian Sibanda was at the weekend summoned by the police to clarify a case where a party member was being accused of fraudulently seeking a donation of 72 loaves of bread. Report by Nduduzo Tshuma

Insiders said a party official from the city centre district wrote to a local company asking for a donation of bread, saying they wanted to hold a function.

“Sibanda was not there so he gave authority to the official to write a letter asking for the donations and sign on his behalf,” said the source who requested to remain anonymous. However, last week some party youths were going around asking for donations for the hosting of President Robert Mugabe’s birthday in Nkulumane Complex on Saturday until they got to the company.

“They were told that a donation had been made to the party and were given a copy of the letter. Upon realising that the letter was not signed by Sibanda, the youths went and made a report to the police.” Sibanda, according to insiders, was then summoned to Bulawayo Central Police Station where he explained that he had granted the official permission to write the letter.

Yesterday Sibanda refused to comment on the matter.

Divisions have rocked Zanu PF structures in the city in the past few months and the politburo last month had to rope in former Cabinet minister Calistus Ndlovu as the new chairman.

Sibanda, who had been the party’s acting chairperson since the expulsion of Isaac Dakamela last year, was made Ndlovu’s deputy. Ndlovu last week told journalists that he was ready to work with Sibanda.

Zanu PF is struggling to recapture its support it lost at the formation of the MDC in 1999, which has seen it fail to win a single parliamentary seat in the last decade.