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Cde Gwanetsa

George Maponga in Masvingo
Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive members yesterday unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on provincial chairman Retired Brigadier-General Callisto Gwanetsa, accusing him of promoting factionalism, abuse of office and gross incompetence.

More than 70 provincial members drawn from Masvingo’s seven districts attended the meeting which booted out Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa.

His deputy Cde Paradzai Chakona was appointed acting provincial chairperson.

Provincial executive members burst into song and ululated after passing the no confidence vote at a meeting held at the Chiefs’ Hall in the city.

The motion to kick out Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa was moved by Bikita South legislator and Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive member Cde Jappy Jaboon.

Cde Chakona said they were going to notify the Zanu-PF national leadership about Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa’s removal from office.

“We are going to write to the national chairman of Zanu-PF, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo informing him of our vote of no confidence on Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa as soon as possible,’’ he said.

He pointed out that Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa’s continued stay in office threatened the smooth running and survival of Zanu-PF in Masvingo.

“One year after provincial elections were held, provincial executive members have discovered and uncovered numerous issues and problems that have affected the smooth running of the province,” said Cde Chakona.

“This has now threatened the survival of the party and its structures.’’

He accused Rtd Brigadier General Gwanetsa of misleading a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting about the contents of a circular from the Commissariat Department on the procedure of allocating posts in the party’s provincial executive to members elected into the “basket” from their respective districts.

Cde Chakona said Rtd Brigadier General Gwanetsa allocated positions in the provincial executive to members who had not been elected into the “basket’’, thereby violating the constitution of Zanu-PF.

He accused Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa of failing to run Zanu-PF in Masvingo after only managing to hold one provincial executive meeting on September 5 this year ever since he was elected into office last year.

Cde Chakona said Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa had been booted out for abuse of office after he rushed to announce his personal nomination of candidates for positions in the Zanu-PF presidium purporting that they had been done in consultation with the province.

Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa recently said the province had nominated Vice President Mujuru and Cde Khaya Moyo for posts of the two vice presidents, while secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa had been nominated for national chairman.

His assertions were refuted by other provincial executive members who said such a meeting had never taken place.

Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa was also accused of de-campaigning First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe who has been unanimously endorsed to become Zanu-PF Secretary for Women Affairs.

Rtd Brig Gen Gwanetsa said in an interview that he was no longer speaking to the press.

“I do not speak to the media these days,” he said.

“Why don’t you get in touch with Cde Rugare Gumbo, Cde Khaya Moyo or Cde Webster Shamu?”