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Cde Mavhaire

George Maponga in Masvingo
War veterans and members of the zanu-pf Masvingo provincial council yesterday demanded that embattled Politburo members Cdes Dzikamai Mavhaire and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti be barred from contesting central committee elections.The pair is accused of promoting factionalism in zanu-pf and plotting to depose President Mugabe.

Last week zanu-pf supporters and war veterans demonstrated against Cdes Mavhaire and Bhasikiti demanding that they resign from both the party and Government.

Cde Mavhaire is the Minister of Energy and Power Development while Cde Bhasikiti is the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs.

War veterans and some zanu-pfprovincial council members yesterday confronted Cdes Mavhaire and Bhasikiti during an emergency provincial elections directorate meeting at Benjamin Burombo Government Complex.

They told the duo to withdraw their central committee candidature. The provincial elections directorate meeting was called to discuss preparations for the central committee elections set for today.

Masvingo provincial war veterans chairman Cde Charles Muchena confirmed they wanted Cdes Mavhaire and Bhasikiti barred from contesting the elections.

“We are appealing to President Mugabe to intervene and stop these two leaders from becoming members of the central committee because they have already shown that they are not genuine party cadres but have their own agenda which is to destroy zanu-pf from within,” he said.

“As the vanguard of the party, we are calling upon our patron President Mugabe to stop them because they are facing very serious charges of promoting factionalism and colluding with the West to bring about regime change.”

Acting zanu-pf Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Paradzai Chakona confirmed the development.

“It is unfortunate that we cannot withdraw Cdes Mavhaire and Bhasikiti’s CVs to stop them from contesting central committee elections because it is now too late.

“Their papers have already been accepted by the Politburo and we cannot write them to withdraw the names when elections are on tomorrow (today),’’ he said.

“It is now up to the people to either accept or reject them during the elections.’’