KWEKWE — Factional battles in the Zanu PF Midlands province have continued to rear their ugly head with Edmore Samambwa, who won the party’s provincial youth chairpersons, being axed on allegations he is now too old to be in the youth league.
BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER
Samambwa (35), who is allegedly aligned to the Zanu PF faction headed by Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa in a battle against Vice-President Joice Mujuru to succeed President Robert Mugabe, has since been replaced by Tanaka Manyasa whom he beat in the fraud-tainted polls.
Manyasa is reportedly aligned to Mujuru. According to a letter dated November 4 (ref VM/329/ec) and addressed to Zanu PF politburo member Olivia Muchena from Mutatu and Partners, the lawyers representing Samambwa, the youth league aligned its constitution with provisions of the Zimbabwe Constitution which stipulates that a youth should be a person aged between 15 and 35 years.
The lawyers contend that Samambwa, who is 35 years and two months, falls within the legitimate age for him to have been considered for the post.
“It is clear that, if someone is 35 years plus, but below 36 years, he is qualified to be elected youth league leader. The literal meaning of Section 336 (4) of the Zimbabwe Constitution clearly shows that our client was unlawfully excluded from the election,” part of the letter reads.
Samambwa confirmed he had been elbowed out of the corridors of power despite having won the election.
“I have been informed that I am too old to be youth chairperson, but when I submitted by CV, nobody raised that issue,” Samambwa said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“We went to the elections and I won, but now the same people turn around and say I am too old. We are going to challenge this matter,” he said.
Zanu PF national youth secretary Absolom Sikosana, who is also a war veteran, is, however, way above the prescribed age limit.
Attempts to get a comment from Zanu PF Midlands provincial chairperson Jason Machaya, whose own victory is being challenged by his former deputy Larry Mavhima, were fruitless as his phone rang unanswered.
The battle to control Zanu PF structures has been bitterly contested between candidates aligned to the two factions in an effort to control the succession race, which is threatening to tear the party asunder.
The battle for the soul of Zanu PF in the Midlands province went into the High Court in Harare where Mnangagwa’s wife Auxiilia, July Moyo, Mackenzi Ncube, Douglas Tapfuma and Owen Ncube have filed a $50 million lawsuit against Machaya, Douglas Kanengoni and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti in a defamation case emanating from the polls.
