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Cde Oppah Muchinguri

Mutare Bureau
MANICALAND Provincial Affairs Minister Mandi Chimene yesterday launched an attack on Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Oppah Muchinguri and Headlands legislator Cde Christopher Chingosho, accusing them of fanning division in the province. Minister Chimene claimed that Cde Muchinguri, who is also Environment , Water and Climate Minister had differences with her which she said dated back to more than 10 years.

Minister Chimene was speaking while addressing journalists from several media houses at a press conference at her Government offices.

She named Cde Muchinguri as the person behind a recorded voice that was badmouthing her recently.

Cde Muchinguri, said Minister Chimene, did not belong to Manicaland, but came to the province because her father was a teacher there.

“Why should a fellow war veteran fight another cadre?” said Minister Chimene.

“I have no time to badmouth my colleagues. I know Cde Oppah Muchinguri has been addressing meetings calling us names, but I will not fight back. However, it doesn’t mean we are cowards. We can hit back.

“We are all children of Manicaland. I am better off because I am from Makoni, what about her who is from Zimuto in Masvingo. Her father came to Manicaland as a teacher.

“A lot was being said behind my back and I used to dismiss this saying I don’t rely on rumours until a youth member who attended a meeting at Cde Muchinguri’s house in Harare decided to record it.”

Minister Chimene said their beef started in 1999 when Cde Muchinguri opposed her ascendancy to the Central Committee in preference for another candidate.

She said the smear campaigns against her would not affect Zanu-PF or the party’s province.

On Cde Chingosho, Cde Chimene accused him of organising a demonstration against her in Headlands during which villagers complained about the settlement of “foreigners” in local farms.

Villagers staged a demonstration against the settling of clergy Bishop Trevor Manhanga and Mines and Mining Development secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga ahead of landless villagers.

No comment could be obtained from Cde Muchinguri yesterday as her mobile numbers were not reachable.

Cde Chingosho denied organising the demonstration, but said he shared grievances with the villagers.

“I was in Parliament when the demonstration was held,” he said. “I was only called to receive their petition against Mandi (Minister Chimene).

“Their issues are valid. How do you settle an A2 farmer when there are people residing in mountains because there is no land. During our campaigns, this is what we were telling people that we will resettle them once the acquisition process is complete.”