ZANU PF officials loyal to Vice-President Joice Mujuru are living in fear of being chucked out of the party amid reports that war veterans linked to First Lady Grace Mugabe were planning to take over a farm in Murewa belonging to Mashonaland East provincial chairman Ray Kaukonde.
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This comes at a time leaders perceived to be pro-Mujuru and alleged to harbour ambitions of wresting power from President Robert Mugabe ahead of congress were suspended at a politburo meeting on Thursday with reports that more casualties would follow in the coming days.
When NewsDay visited Kaukonde’s farm yesterday, workers confirmed reports of the intended take-over by the war veterans and guards were on high alert after learning of the impending invasion.
“We have heard of the intended invasion of the farm by war veterans but for today, there is nothing of that sort. They want to come here but we are still waiting for them,” said a worker at the farm.
Kaukonde was not immediately available for comment last night.
Kaukonde was subjected to a verbal attack by First Lady Grace Mugabe who told him openly that she “disliked him big time” because of using his money to try and dislodge Mugabe.
Grace accused Kaukonde of rebelling against Mugabe using his resources.
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The Mashonaland East chairman survived attempts to pass a vote of no confidence on him by the war veterans in the province as observers said he had support from his fellow leaders in the province.
Recently, war veterans marched around Marondera, saying they had passed a vote of no confidence on Kaukonde but their attempts were dismissed.
At her rallies, Grace made her deslike for Kaukonde clear, stating publicly that she almost punched him in 2008.
The threat by war veterans on Kaukonde comes at a time perceived Mujuru loyalists were booted out of the party with spokesperson Rugare Gumbo and war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda being the main casualties after they were suspended and expelled respectively.
