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G40 Masvingo MPs in crisis meeting

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AT least 19 G40-aligned Zanu PF legislators from Masvingo were due to hold a crisis meeting in Harare last night to map the way forward following the recent “suspension” of their four allies from the party’s provincial executive, as factionalism rages in the province.

AT least 19 G40-aligned Zanu PF legislators from Masvingo were due to hold a crisis meeting in Harare last night to map the way forward following the recent “suspension” of their four allies from the party’s provincial executive, as factionalism rages in the province.

by Everson Mushava

The legislators are reportedly plotting to rope in President Robert Mugabe to help them dissolve the entire Ezra Chadzamira-led provincial executive committee (PEC), which they accuse of being aligned to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction.

“Yes, we are going to meet today (yesterday) in the evening and review the developments in the province following last weekend’s PEC that Chadzamira used to fire some members,” said an MP who declined to be named.

“We want to find a way to reach out to the President and plead with him for action because the current executive has failed to unite the party yet we are approaching elections.

“Right now, Chadzamira is busy sponsoring members along factional lines to topple the sitting MPs and have them replaced by members from his Team Lacoste faction and this is not how a province should be run.

“We once told the President about this when we met in Chiredzi and we feel the time is ripe for action.”

Chadzamira last week claimed the four had been suspended for absconding from meetings, but the quartet denied the allegations, saying they were being victimised along factional lines.

The quartet of Mutero Masanganise (provincial secretary for gender), Gutu South MP Tichazorwa Madondo, Teddy Muzoroza (provincial secretary for legal affairs) and a Mazorodze (provincial deputy commissar) on Wednesday engaged Tourism minister Walter Mzembi to help them meet Mugabe and air their views to the Zanu PF leader.

Mugabe early this month hinted Masvingo needed reorganisation.

He revealed this while addressing party supporters at the Bindura youth interface rally, where he disclosed that his previous two meetings with the MPs in the province had failed to address the party’s challenges in the province.

The MP said about 19 legislators, out of the province’s 26 constituencies are expected to attend the meeting at Mzembi’s office.

Mugabe met the MPs at his official residence and proceeded to Chiredzi after the legislators approached him pleading with him to fire the late Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa and Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe, both believed to be staunch Mnangagwa supporters.

Mzembi and Masanganise this week said the Chadzamira executive should be dissolved to pave way for an interim structure that will lead the party to the 2018 general elections.

Party provincial commissar, Jeppy Jaboon, who is Bikita South MP, would neither confirm nor deny the meeting.

“Is there anything wrong for MPs to meet and discuss issues affecting their province?” he asked before he switched off his phone.