VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa and his new political nemesis, Zanu PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere head for a showdown indaba in Midlands province at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Kasukuwere was last week ordered by the ruling party’s politburo to find a lasting solution to the problems in Mnangagwa’s home province, that has seen the suspension of chairperson, Kizito Chivamba.
“We have been told he is coming on Thursday (tomorrow) and there is going to be a provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meeting. All we know is it has to do with a directive from the politburo to the national commissar (Kasukuwere),” Zanu PF provincial spokesperson, Cornelius Mupereri said yesterday.
While party officials remained tightlipped, it is believed Mnangagwa will attend the make-or-break indaba.
Mupereri could not be drawn into saying much on the issue.
“I have no idea,” he said.
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A G40 insider said: “He is going to show Mnangagwa in his home turf that he has the wherewithal to fire his people. Kasukuwere will insist that Tapiwa Matangaidze (provincial secretary for administration) takes over as interim chairperson, while the politburo looks at Chivamba’s case”.
Most provincial executive members in the Midlands have refused to recognise Matangaidze as their interim leader, demanding vice-chairman Daniel Mackenzie Ncube be appointed acting chairperson.
But a Mnangagwa ally claimed Kasukuwere has already been in touch with the provincial political leadership and demanded an end to the hostilities.
“He has been in touch and has indicated that Joram Gumbo (politburo secretary for education) will take charge. It is a compromise that has been reached. As a province, we had wanted Daniel Mackenzie Ncube to act as chairperson because, naturally, as deputy chair, he should take over in Chivamba’s absence,” an insider said on condition of anonymity.
Early this year, Kasukuwere suspended Chivamba, Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) for alleged disobedience and inciting insolence after the three allegedly influenced party members to boycott a Zanu PF women’s league rally held at the party headquarters in Harare.
The rally was meant to thank President Robert Mugabe for advancing the women’s cause during his tenure as African Union chairperson.
The suspended chairpersons are all believed to be Mnangagwa’s allies and have made a stand against First Lady Grace Mugabe, who is said to be part of the Generation-40 (G40) faction.
Kasukuwere is said to be a key member of that faction.
