-Mnangagwa 1-Chiwenga 0
MIDWEEK REPORTER
Zanu PF has strongly denied that there are serious divisions rocking the revolutionary ruling party despite the youth leaders issuing out conflicting statements in quick succession.
The director of information in the 61 year old party, Farai Marapira told The Midweek Watch that the letters that were written by Youth League boss Tino Machakaire and his deputy John Paradza do not imply that there are divisions, factionalism or disunity as the party remains strong.
“It is unfortunate that some party leaders have decided to take party debates to the media which obviously lead to sensationalisation of issues.
“It’s very normal for party leaders to engage each and debate issues affecting the party and nation, there are so many debates going on in the party including what was unfortunately put in the public domain.
“The beauty about democracy is that it allows robust debate before decisions are made and that is what we do in Zanu PF but not on social media,” said Marapira.
On Monday 9 December Secretary for Youth Affairs in the Politiburo Tino Machakaire issued a statement saying he had reshuffled the 2022 elected executive in line with national conference held in Bulawayo recently.
“In my capacity as the Secretary for Youth Affairs, I have made the following adjustments in the departmental leadership of the national Youth League Executive Council,” reads the letter from Machakaire which is in our possession.
Tsungai Makumbe was moved from the commissariat to secretary for finance taking over from Garikai Zonde who has been made secretary for science and technology.
The new secretary for commissariat is Phineas Makombe replacing Makumbe.
Phillipa Mukoko is now secretary for external affairs a post which was held by Veleria Makonza who was moved to legal affairs.
Munashe Mtutsa is the new secretary for information and publicity from the technology portfolio replacing Mukoko.
However, before the ink had dried on Machakaire’s letter, his vice, Paradza hit back and nullified the reshuffle as unconstitutional and advised all those affected to stay put.
Paradza argued that the executive members were seconded to their respective posts by their provinces and the way Machakaire conducted the reshuffle was unconstitutional as the same procedure was supposed to be followed when changes are to be made.
“Thus being said, the purported reshuffle is hereby put on hold until further notice,” reads part of Paradza’s letter to his boss Machakaire.
Marapira seemed to be confirming what Paradza wrote as he said an official statement will be issued to the media after the debates are completed implying that Machakaire’s changes are null and void.
Zanu PF has been plagued by factionalism since the ascension of the Second Republic whether perceived or real with some members aligning themselves to Vice President Chiwenga and others to President Mnangagwa.
The current tensions have been heightened by the ED2030 slogan which started in Masvingo soon after the 2023 harmonised elections which Mnangagwa won by a wafer thin margin against Nelson Chamisa who has since quit active politics.
In the corridors of power Machakaire is believed to be a Chiwenga sympathizer his homeboy while Paradza is allegedly aligned to Mnangagwa his Karanga kinsman.
PS. Zanu PF secretary general Obert has since issued a statement nullifying Machakaire’s Youth League Executive’s reshuffle.
