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George Maponga in Bikita
Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive yesterday commenced restructuring of lower-tier levels following a directive from national secretary for commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, while Bikita West National Assembly representative Dr Munyaradzi Kereke was formally introduced to hundreds of jubilant supporters following his readmission into the ruling party.

Cde Kasukuwere met the Zanu-PF provincial leadership last weekend where he outlined what is supposed to be done uin terms of the restructuring.

Dr Kereke fell out with the party after he contested for the parliamentary seat in the July 31 2013 harmonised elections despite being asked to pave way for Cde Elias Musakwa.

But the party’s provincial executive in Masvingo last year recommended his readmission into the ruling party following incessant pressure from Zanu-PF structures in Bikita.

Dr Kereke was yesterday met by hundreds of cheering party supporters across Bikita West where party structures were formally informed of his re-admission.

Addressing hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters at Gangarahwe business centre in Mupamaonde communal lands in the constituency, acting provincial chairman Cde Paradzai Chakona said Dr Kereke’s readmission would further strengthen Zanu-PF in the volatile district.

“We recommended to the Zanu-PF leadership as Masvingo province last year that Dr Kereke should be re-admitted into the party and we are happy that Dr Kereke is now back home,’’ he said.

“There is exuberance amongst party members in Bikita West who are happy over Dr Kereke’s return. Dr Kereke is now officially back into Zanu-PF and we are happy that the people in this constituency have reunited with their rightful leader they have been deprived of over the past one and half years.’’

Cde Chakona defended the move to introduce Dr Kereke to Zanu-PF’s supporters in Bikita West before the legislator was officially served with a letter of re-admission by the national Zanu-PF leadership, saying the ruling party provincial executive had already made its decision.

Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial secretary for commissariat Cde Jappy Jaboon hailed the ruling party leadership for listening to the people of Bikita by agreeing to re-admit Dr Kereke.

Central Committee member Cde Anna Rungani said Dr Kereke’s return was a harbinger of good things for the party, saying the district was grappling with a leadership vacuum following Dr Kereke’s sacking.

Dr Kereke’s re-admission into the ruling party means Zanu-PF now has all the 26 House of Assembly seats in the bag after winning 25 seats in the July 31 harmonised polls.