THE race to fill a vacant central committee post in Zanu PF’s Manicaland has divided the province with opponents of presidential investment advisor, Paul Tungwarara, accusing him of wanting to buy his way into the position.
The post became vacant after Chipinge central committee member, Dorothy Mabika, was elected provincial Women's League chairperson.
Sources said there was serious jostling for the position with former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) commander, Anselem Sanyatwe, said to be in the race.
Defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, is allegedly pushing for the co-option of MenBelivED founder, Justice Matsatsire, to block Sanyatwe.
Muchinguri-Kashiri is said to be afraid that Sanyatwe’s entry into politics would threaten her position as the Zanu PF godfather in Manicaland.
Sanyatwe, a close ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, is the Sports and Arts Culture minister.
Sources in Manicaland said Tungwarara may find himself in the central committee ahead of other aspirants after his donations to key organs in the province on Saturday last week.
Tungwarara distributed double cab vehicles and US$10 000 cash each to district coordinating chairpersons in the province.
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He gave the Young Women for ED affiliate a US$250 000 revolving fund. All 26 constituencies of the province received their share of over US$500 000 dedicated to local community projects.
Tungwarara said the donations were under the new Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund.
The new fund was launched last week, with Manicaland being the first recipient.
It is not clear if the new fund replaces the government Constituency Development Fund.
Yesterday, youth chairpersons from the province were in Mutare to mobilise support for the Zanu PF benefactor, sources said.
“What we are seeing here is a repeat of the same Harare script before businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei was co-opted into the central committee,” a senior party official said.
“However, the constitution is very clear and he should have served five years in the party in the cell or branch.”
Zanu PF Manicaland chairperson, Tawanda Mukodza, could not be reached for comment on filling the vacant central committee post.
Tungwararara was also not reachable.
Zanu PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha recently told The Standard the position will be filled by a member from Chipinge district unless the province applies for a waiver.
