VICE-PRESIDENT Joice Mujuru and under fire Labour minister Nicholas Goche yesterday boycotted a Zanu PF politburo meeting at the party headquarters as fissures continue to deepen in the ruling party.
MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
Mujuru and Goche are both under pressure to quit from President Robert Mugabe loyalists following allegations that they were involved in a plot to oust the Zanu PF strongman ahead of the December congress.
When journalists were allowed in upon Mugabe’s arrival, neither Goche nor Mujuru were in the room.
Mugabe, as has become the norm, spoke to some politburo members and asked secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa: “Why are you here?”
Although Mutasa’s response was not clear, it later emerged that he was supposed to have represented Zanu PF at a meeting of liberation parties in Namibia.
Other clearly excited members of a faction fighting Mutasa became animated, thinking the president was confirming the demise of Mutasa who lost a bid to retain a post in the central committee.
Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who lost in his central committee membership bid, told Mugabe as he was greeting other politburo members that he was “beaten because money was used”.
- 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
Mugabe told Ndlovu to remain focused.
When Mugabe arrived for the meeting, Mujuru was not in with many saying she had boycotted the indaba following a series of accusations levelled against her and the recent loss of her central committee post after her CV was rejected.
Mujuru is on the ropes after she was accused of plotting to topple Mugabe, working with the opposition and being corrupt.
Reports earlier in the day were that Goche’s Shamva farm had been invaded by youths who accuse him of plotting against Mugabe. However, sources close to the Labour minister said that everything was normal at his farm.
Zanu PF youth league chairman for Mashonaland Central Godfrey Tsenengamu said he received a call from a senior police officer inquiring on the matter.
“I am coming from a meeting with the Provincial Affairs minister regarding land for the youths and I don’t know if that happened,” he said.
“If that happened, it is unfortunate and should be condemned because a farm is someone’s personal property and has nothing to do with political issues raised against him. We condemn that in totality if it happened.”
