MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO-The battle to fill the Zanu PF Chivi District Central Committee vacancy that was occupied by the late Brigadier General Elasto Madzingira is far from over as a petition is now being prepared to challenge Mathias Tongofa’s elevation.
Tongofa was endorsed during a Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held at Masvingo Poly last Friday and his name was forwarded to the Politiburo for confirmation to fill in the post that has been vacant since 2024.
Members of the District Coordinating Committee and ward executive members are said to be signing the petition which is expected to be forwarded to the Politiburo on Thursday.
In late 2025, Tongofa and Rtd Major Clifford Mumbengegwi were challenging each other to fill in the vacant Chivi CC post and an election was held in the district. Mumbengegwi emerged the winner but the provincial leadership considered the election as factional and it cost the District Coordinating Committee chairperson Samuel Magonde’s head.
Tongofa’s name was forwarded to the Politiburo but when a Central Committee sat in December 2025, it is alleged he was ejected from the meeting by Vice President Rtd General Chiwenga who reportedly said the Chivi issue is yet to be resolved.
This prompted the provincial leadership to ask for the endorsement of Tongofa during the last PCC meeting which was done with only two objections according to Chairman Senator Rabson Mavhenyengwa.
Mavhenyengwa also dismissed allegations that it was a one man election as he said they just wanted to get the sentiments of the province on Tongofa’s candidature.
“We held an open election where we asked over 200 members to endorse Tongofa and only two people voted against the motion, the majority prevailed and Tongofa’s name was recommended.
“The Chivi meeting that elected Mumbengegwi in 2025 was a kangaroo meeting which was not endorsed by the province hence we could not endorse it outcome. I don’t convene a meeting with the knowledge of national executive the same way a district cannot convene a meeting without the knowledge of the province,” said Mavhenyengwa.
Some Zanu PF members who spoke to this publication said it was unfair to call out only one name and for using the voting system which was not secret as it was intimidatory.
“What type of democracy is that, where people are asked to vote in public and to vote for one person for that matter, we felt intimidated hence we had to go with the public. I strongly feel money could have exchanged hands because Hwezhaz (Moses Maoneke MP Chivi Central) is set to fill in Tongofa’s post in the province if Tongofa is elevated, just speculation but it appears to be true from the way things are unfolding,” said the member on condition of anonymity for fear of being fired from the revolutionary party.
However, the allegations could not be verified.
When contacted for a comment Tongofa said he was not aware of the petition although he suspects certain individuals could be behind such actions if ever there is one.
Tongofa added that he is waiting for the final confirmation from the Politiburo before he assumes the position of Central Committee member.
Mumbengegwi said he was not aware of the petition from Chivi but was equally shocked by the way the Friday election was conducted.
