DEFENCE minister Sydney Sekeramayi yesterday retained his Zanu PF central committee seat in a disputed election presided over by Zimbabwe Republic Police officer commanding Marondera District.
PAIDAMOYO MUZULU SENIOR REPORTER
The elections were ordered by President Robert Mugabe at the just-ended Zanu PF congress after some Mashonaland East delegates to the congress protested against three of the central committee nominees that included ministers Sekeramayi, David Parirenyatwa and Paddy Zhanda.
Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial interim chairman Patrick Makombe confirmed Sekeramayi’s disputed win.
“We were not consulted as the interim committee in the province about these elections and therefore we don’t agree with the outcome,” Makombe said.
“We have since petitioned the Mashonaland East provincial intelligence officer and a senior intelligence officer from Harare about the conduct of this election for onward transmission to the President.”
An angry youth leader in the province said Sekeramayi won the election that was heavily influenced by State security agents present.
“State security agents denied us the chance to sing or demonstrate threatening us with unspecified action if Sekeramayi was not elected,” the youth leader said.
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The fate of Parirenyatwa and Zhanda could not be ascertained last night.
NewsDay witnessed the disgruntled party members airing their concerns to the provincial intelligence officer and another from Harare who arrived after the election had been conducted.
The intelligence officer refused to grant us an interview saying the news crew should get comments from Makombe.
Sekeramayi’s candidature was endorsed alongside that of a Ms Chanakira and Ms Taguma, who also had been elected in the first list that was presented at the congress.
Sekeramayi is alleged to be an ally of ousted Vice-President Joice Mujuru and former provincial chairman Ray Kaukonde. Mujuru and Kaukonde have been accused of plotting to oust Mugabe from office or assassinate him in case they failed to unseat him at the just-ended congress. Sekeramayi’s survival could be temporary as Mugabe will be convening a special central committee meeting today that can veto his election.
Sekeramayi is the only leading Mujuru ally remaining in government after Mugabe yesterday purged the Vice-President and eight other ministers aligned to her.
