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Muchinguri confirms deep divisions in Zanu PF

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ZANU PF politburo member Oppah Muchinguri has conceded that there are deep divisions within the ruling party.

ZANU PF politburo member Oppah Muchinguri has conceded that there are deep divisions within the ruling party, while slamming Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene, for overstepping her duties in controlling the province.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

Muchinguri made the remarks in Mutare yesterday at a campaign rally to drum up support for Zanu PF Dangamvura-Chikanga candidate Esau Mupfumi at St Mary’s Secondary School ahead of next Wednesday’s by-election.

She told Vice-President Emerson Mnangagwa and other top Zanu PF officials, among them political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, acting provincial chairman Samuel Undenge and senior government officials, that all was not well in the ruling party.

Muchinguri, who is also Higher Education minister, said there were sharp divisions in Zanu PF before pleading with Mnangagwa to return to Manicaland to address matters dividing the province.

“Boss (Mnangagwa), you should continue to come here because you said important words of being united in the party. So if it is possible, you also come again to address issues of unity in the party here,” she said.

“This is political commissar and I don’t need your job. I have my own duties as the Minister of Higher Education and my duty is to sharpen my students’ minds. You should be content by what God gave you. If we know that everyone has their duties, then we will move forward.”

Muchinguri said Mnangagwa was not power-hungry, hence he waited for his time to be appointed as VP by President Robert Mugabe.

“He was almost executed during the liberation struggle and look where he stands,” she said.

Both Muchinguri and Chimene were reportedly locked in a dispute for control of Manicaland after former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa was expelled from the ruling party.

Mutasa used to be the political godfather in Manicaland and Muchinguri was now being considered the new provincial power broker.

Chimene is considered the provincial iron lady for her no-nonsense stance in politics and government.

Mnangagwa, who addressed Dangamvura on one foot as he wanted to rush back to welcome Mugabe from Sudan, said Zanu PF was still intact because it sacked wayward members.

“In Zanu PF, if you are out of way, we sack you and the party will remain strong. Zanu PF is more important than anyone else. And I heard MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai said no election with no reforms, we are saying that they should continue to do that and we will continue to participate in elections after every five years,” he said.