Police on Saturday blocked a scheduled, belated Africa Day sports gala in Harare South organized by ZimSport for Economic Development, as factionalism continues to rear its ugly head within the ruling Zanu PF.
Officers sealed off the venue as early as 8 am following a statement by Harare provincial commissar Voyage Dambuza, who banned any activity by Zanu PF affiliates without official certification. According to Zanu PF insiders in Harare province, Dambuza was forced to issue the statement to block the gala and deal a blow to Shadreck Mashayamombe, the former MP for Harare South.
Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman Goodwills Masimirembwa and his deputy, Ephraim Fundukwa, are reportedly opposed to Mashayamombe, fearing that his popularity could allow him to contest for the chairmanship and defeat the incumbent.
Fundukwa, who aspires to be the MP for Churu, also fears Mashayamombe could defeat him for that post.
“It’s all about Mashayamombe; if he was not involved in this sports gala, it would have been cleared,” a Zanu PF central committee member said. Videos of protesting Zanu PF supporters who had gathered for the gala have since circulated online.
Approximately 10 000 youths from across Harare had been expected to converge on Ushewokunze, Harare South, for the sports extravaganza. Zanu PF national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha was slated to be the guest of honour at an event where party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, Sports minister Anselem Sanyatwe, and various politburo and central committee members were expected to attend.
According to Togarepi, the event was intended to represent an ambitious bid to bring elite sports to underprivileged communities. Togarepi noted that the gala aimed to promote elite sports in peri-urban areas and ensure that sporting activities become economically beneficial to every citizen.
Over 80 soccer teams from across Harare had been lined up to compete, with approximately the same number of teams for netball and volleyball. Participants were also set to compete in indoor games such as chess, snooker, and darts. Winners were expected to walk away with lucrative prizes to ensure sport becomes rewarding at the grassroots level, Togarepi added.
Mashayamombe, who assisted with the venue and the construction of the stadium, stated that the facility will be open to local schools and community members free of charge as a means of steering youth away from drugs.