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Mr Bhasikiti-Chuma

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Former Zimbabwe People First secretary-general Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti-Chuma has retraced his footsteps to the ruling ZANU-PF, raising the likelihood that more defectors will return back to the fold.

Mr Bhasikiti-Chuma was dismissed from ZANU-PF over allegations of working with Dr Joice Mujuru in trying to depose former President Robert Mugabe. In an interview during a provincial coordinating committee meeting held in Masvingo on Sunday, Mr Bhasikiti-Chuma — who was accompanied by another former ZANU-PF son, Colonel Claudius Makova (Retired) — said he regretted events leading to his expulsion.

“I have come back home. I have officially resigned from People First by writing a letter to Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo informing them that I am now going back to my roots,” he said.

Mr Bhasikiti-Chuma said he was pressured to leave the party.

“I believe most of you remember that I fought hard to remain in ZANU-PF after being fired. I took my case to the Supreme Court with 14 lawyers, but unfortunately, the court referred the case back to the party. I did not leave the party, but I was fired on false allegations of wanting to topple former President Mugabe. Now that he is gone, I have decided to come back,” he said.

Mr Bhasikiti-Chuma, however, said he was not looking for a position in ZANU-PF, but had come to work for the political party that made him what he is today. Col Makova said he never left ZANU-PF on his own accord, but was dismissed on allegations of plotting to kill Cde Mugabe.

“I was part of the people who rallied behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I also contributed in the expelling of the G40 cabal, which has caused a lot of mayhem in our party. I was always telling provincial chairperson Cde Ezra Chadzamira here that I was on my way back to the party.”

He also declared his interest in serving the party.

“I have three pensions as a former ZANU-PF MP, former army officer and a war veteran, so I have always been ZANU-PF,” he said.

Col Makova said he had no interest in party positions when he gets admitted back into ZANU-PF.