FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe’s loyalists in Mashonaland were booted out in Zanu PF provincial women’s league elections held over the weekend as Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s camp regained control of the province after most of its executives had been either suspended or fired along factional lines.
BY NUNURAI JENA/RICHARD CHIDZA
Embattled provincial chairwoman Angeline Muchemenyi beat Zvimba district’s Mary Phiri to retain her post after having been in an acting capacity and momentarily pushed out.
Two weeks ago, Muchemenyi survived a vote of no-confidence initiated by Grace’s ally and women’s league national treasurer Sarah Mahoka. Another Grace loyalist, Margaret Chidarikire, lost the league’s provincial administration secretary post to Joyce Mukazhi by a wide margin of 26 to 11 votes.
Martha Munondo, a reported Mnangagwa ally, is the new secretary for finance, replacing Nyarai Chasi, while the post of political commissar went to Angela Nyinyai, who beat Chinjayi Kambuzuma.
In all instances, the G40 faction, believed to be led by the First Lady, lost its positions as power shifted. Mahoka was not available for comment.
The hurriedly-organised provincial elections were presided over by Senate president Edna Madzongwe and Labour minister Prisca Mupfumira.
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“It is true. The party needed a substantive women’s league chairperson and they had to go through an electoral process in the province.
We did not look at factions, but had to stop the bickering and make sure our people are united and focused on issues to grow the party,” Mupfumira said yesterday.
The outcome of the snap internal poll left Mahoka teetering on the brink amid manoeuvres to have her cut loose from the ruling party.
Mahoka has been on edge since her unsolicited public rant directed at Mnangagwa at a solidarity rally organised by the women’s league for President Robert Mugabe at Zanu PF headquarters in February.
War veterans are reportedly leading the campaign for Mahoka’s ouster, accusing her of fomenting discord and using her proximity to Grace to mislead the First Family about party issues.
