WITH less than two months in office, new Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairman, Ezra Chadzamira has fallen victim to the party’s factional fights, with a group within the party plotting his downfall.
By Tatenda Chitagu
Chadzamira replaced interim chairman, Paradzai Chakona, who was ousted through a vote of no-confidence motion on allegations of abusing party resources and imposing candidates.
The Masvingo West legislator, who is reportedly sympathetic to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to succeed President Robert Mugabe, is set to be fired as part of a raft of measures to “clean up” the province,” sources said.
Insiders say Chadzamira incensed G40 members after his defence of Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena, accused of insulting First Lady Grace Mugabe at the party’s December conference in Victoria Falls.
“His biggest crime is exonerating Wadyajena in the Midlands disciplinary committee, in a case where Wadyajena had been pinned by G40 members accusing him of insulting the First Lady,” a source said.
Chadzamira and Jeppy Jaboon deposed affidavits claiming Wadyajena had not insulted the First Lady.
- 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
Sources said Chadzamira will be booted out on a technicality, after it emerged that he was elevated by the party’s provincial executive council (PEC) instead of the provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC).
“He is on the ropes because of such a technicality, which is set to be used against him. The G40 members, (Zanu PF political commissar Saviour) Kasukuwere included, who is one of the kingpins, will have to revoke the unanimous decision that appointed Chadzamira to the post,” one of the sources said.
Chadzamira, however, insists the party has one centre of power in President Robert Mugabe and there is no way he could dislike his wife.
“We respect the President and his wife, there is no way we can ever dislike the First Lady, as the wife of the President,” he said.
“Masvingo is behind both the President and his wife. The First Lady came here and we had a rally with her at Mushayavanhu High School late last year supporting her, so I do not see where this is coming from that we rejected the First Lady.”
Party insiders are convinced Chadzamira will be replaced by Tourism and Hospitality minister Walter Mzembi as provincial chairman.
Called for comment, Mzembi, laughed off the suggestion, saying he was content with his position.
“I am a central committee member by Presidential appointment and prerogative, so I am quite content with this deployment,” he said.
“At the just-ended Zanu PF conference, Kasukuwere introduced the new line-up of provincial chairpersons to the President and conference delegates and we all cheered them in acknowledgement.
“So one month down the line, there is no rationale for that speculation.”
