INFIGHTING within Zanu PF continues to haunt Mashonaland West, with fresh turmoil erupting following controversial changes to the provincial executive allegedly imposed by chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka.
The reshuffle, carried out yesterday and expected to be endorsed by the provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC), has been condemned by some party members as unconstitutional, punitive and politically-motivated, laying bare deepening fractures within the ruling party ahead of its highly anticipated elective congress next year.
The developments underscore intensifying factional battles within Zanu PF’s provincial structures, where control of key posts is increasingly viewed as critical to positioning oneself ahead of the 2027 congress. Mashonaland West has emerged as a flashpoint, with unresolved allegations of financial mismanagement and internal disciplinary disputes colliding with succession manoeuvres.
At the centre of the storm is Misheck Nyarubero, formerly the provincial secretary for administration, who was demoted to the largely ceremonial post of deputy secretary for gender.
Sources within the province say the decision triggered outrage, with critics describing it as a calculated move to neutralise a vocal internal critic.
Nyarubero has been accused of dereliction of duty, including allegedly failing to submit reports to the party’s national headquarters and tampering with official documents.
However, insiders dispute the claims, insisting they are a smokescreen designed to justify a politically-expedient purge.
In the reshuffle, Gilbert Chibayamagora was elevated from secretary for transport and welfare to assume the influential administration portfolio.
- Former Zanu PF bigwigs eye return
- Chiefs receive 5% ZimPlats shares
- Chombo seeks to return to Zanu PF
- Knives out for Mliswa-Chikoka
Keep Reading
Gift Dondo was moved from indigenisation to replace Chibayamagora, while veteran politician Tommy Mwanza was parachuted to the secretary for legal affairs position.
But it is Nyarubero’s demotion that has touched a raw a nerve within the party.
Sources said Nyarubero immediately pushed back, accusing Mliswa-Chikoka of targeting him for openly challenging her leadership style and questioning the handling of provincial finances.
He is reportedly demanding a formal hearing and has warned that he is prepared to “spill the beans” on what he alleges are serious governance and accountability failures within the provincial leadership.
The developments revive unresolved tensions dating back to November last year, when Zanu PF secretary-general Jacob Mudenda appointed a board of inquiry to probe allegations of embezzlement of party funds and staff incompetence in Mashonaland West.
The inquiry was launched amid mounting pressure from party structures concerned about financial opacity and growing indiscipline at the provincial level.
To date, the findings of the investigation have not been made public, fuelling suspicion that internal disciplinary processes are being selectively weaponised to settle factional scores.
“This is nothing but a witch hunt against those perceived to be resisting the chairperson,” said one senior party source.
“How can Nyarubero be accused of failing to submit provincial reports to the conference when that responsibility rests squarely with the provincial chairperson?”
Another source warned that the reshuffle sets a dangerous precedent of sidelining dissenting voices rather than addressing substantive governance concerns.
Nyarubero refused to comment on the matter.
“As you are aware, we are not allowed to speak to the media. All I can say is that I will appeal,” he said.
Speaking during the Zanu PF provincial co-ordinating committee meeting on Saturday, Mliswa-Chikoka informed members that she had made the changes with some members of the provincial executive committee losing their positions.
“May I also take this opportunity to inform members that we have two members elevated and one demoted within the provincial executive committee,” she said.
The Mashonaland West saga mirrors similar power struggles unfolding across several provinces, as rival factions jostle for influence ahead of next year’s congress, which will usher in a new leadership for the next five years.
