PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s position as leader of Zimbabwe hung by a thread yesterday — three days after the country’s Defence Forces “stepped in” to stop a volatile situation — following recommendations from provinces for his removal on the basis of incapacitation and old age.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA/ JAIROS SAUNYAMA/ KENNETH NYANGANI
Mugabe has been confined to his house since late on Tuesday, but has been allowed to travel for negotiations with army generals for a deal to step down.
The 93-year-old Zanu PF leader, however, has insisted that he be allowed to complete his term of office that runs into mid-2018, but the army wants him gone now.
However, it emerged yesterday Zanu PF has triggered an internal process to rid itself of Mugabe and his G40 acolytes, while Parliament, on the other hand, will begin a process to impeach the former guerilla leader
In audacious resolutions made after marathon provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meetings in eight of the 10 provinces, it was recommended that Mugabe be removed on the basis of old age and incapacitation.
Zanu PF Harare province resolved that: “The actions taken by the (Zimbabwe) Defence Forces be supported in full and all the evil cabal members be dealt with accordingly. That all illegal expulsions and suspensions be set aside by the central committee and that (secretary for administration) Ignatius Chombo, (national commissar) Saviour Kasukuwere, (secretary for science and technology) Jonathan Moyo be expelled from the party.”
“That Cde RG Mugabe be recalled as the party president and be allowed to retire and be given his status as an elder statesman (and) that the central committee as the supreme organ of the party (outside congress) convenes urgently,” the province added. Midlands province, according to spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri, had resolved to call for an urgent central committee meeting on the basis that Zanu PF’s top leadership was in disarray.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“We resolved that the President and first secretary be recalled on the basis of incapacitation and old age. That members of the G40 cabal be expelled and those unprocedurally expelled or suspended in the aftermath of the 2014 congress, including Cde Mnangagwa (fired Vice-President Emmerson), be reinstated to their positions,” Mupereri said.
Mnangagwa was two weeks ago fired by Mugabe on allegations that his actions had become inconsistent with his duties as the country’s number two.
Other provinces demanded that First Lady Grace Mugabe be removed as women’s league secretary, while youth league leader Kudzanayi Chipanga is also facing the chop.
Grace is under house arrest along with Mugabe at the Zanu PF leader’s private Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale, while Moyo, Kasukuwere and Chombo were arrested in the aftermath of the military action that sought to cleanse Zanu PF of “criminals around the President” linked to the G40 faction.
Zanu PF deputy secretary for administration July Moyo was yesterday reportedly co-ordinating the project to get Mugabe expelled, but refused to comment.
“Such issues are handled at head office, so you might want to talk to Cde (Dickson) Dzora (Zanu PF administrator). I am not commenting,” Moyo said.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo was not picking up his mobile phone when NewsDay Weekender tried to reach him for comment.
Dzora confirmed the meetings were on and added veterans of the liberation struggle and “all who assisted” were scheduled to converge in Harare today.
In Mutare, there was a massive turnout at the Manicaland PCC meeting, where it was also recommended that Mugabe should resign.
The meeting, chaired by vice-chair Joseph Mujati, also resolved to reinstate officials unprocedurally suspended.
The meeting was attended by several Zanu PF supporters linked to Mnangagwa, while G40 lead lights, including provincial chairman Samuel Undenge and his wife Letina, did not attend the meeting.
In Mashonaland East, provincial chairman Bernard Makokove said the recommendations would be taken to the central committee which is expected to meet tomorrow.
The PCC also resolved that Grace be relieved of her duties as the women’s league boss. The meeting also lifted suspension of all purged members.
