Senior Zanu PF officials fired on Thursday in the latest purge said they were not surprised by the expulsions, saying the party is on a self-destructive mode.
BY Everson Mushava/Tatenda Chitagu
Rugare Gumbo, the spokesperson of victims of probably one of Zanu PF’s most vicious purges since independence, said the “Johnny-come-latelies” were now “basking in glory for destroying the party from within”.
Zanu PF on Thursday fired seven more party heavyweights for allegedly plotting to topple President Robert Mugabe and replace him with former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
The fired officials were former politburo members Olivia Muchena, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, former central committee member Claudius Makova, Mbire MP David Butau and a national youth league executive, Kudakwashe Gopo.
Mujuru, Gumbo and former Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa were some of the first victims of the purge that followed the December congress. Gumbo said the dismissals demonstrated a “brutish” kind of leadership running Zanu PF.
“It is not surprising. Indications were there that they (Zanu PF politburo) would act in that ruthless manner,” he said. Gumbo said the decision was a victory for the so-called Gang of Four in Zanu PF whom he accused of destroying the party from inside.
Bhasikiti said he welcomed his dismissal which had the likelihood of bringing a new political dispensation to the country.
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He likened his expulsion to Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus “If we were not dismissed, no good would come out of this country. I am happy,” Bhasikiti said. “It is God’s work, He isolates people to make them a distinct group.”
The former Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister seemed unfazed saying he was not bitter about the move as he had done nothing wrong, “just like others expelled before”.
He said the expulsions were good “for the country to move forward”.
“It should be like that for the country to move forward. It might be temporary, but may turn out like the Joseph (the dreamer) story in the Bible who later helped his brothers who wanted to kill him,” he said.
“We may help others, including those who expelled us.”
Bhasikiti said he would not appeal against the expulsion.
“There is nothing to appeal about. Even those expelled had no crime,” he said. Mavhaire refused to comment on his expulsion.
Makova said he was unfazed by the dismissal as he had done nothing wrong.
“If I had done something wrong, I should have been brought before the party’s disciplinary committee,” he said.
