Zimpapers Logo

Cde Bhasikiti

George Maponga in MASVINGO
THE Zanu-PF leadership here has accused sacked Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti of undermining and sabotaging ruling party activities in Mwenezi in a desperate bid to weaken the party.

The development comes as party members in Mwenezi have reportedly started moves to have the embattled Mwenezi East National Assembly member recalled.

Cde Bhasikiti was recently chased by Zanu-PF members at Neshuro Business Centre after being accused of causing divisions in Zanu-PF in the district by openly supporting fired ex-Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.

Zanu-PF acting Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Paradzai Chakona yesterday said action should be taken against Cde Bhasikiti for sabotaging party activities in Mwenezi.

Cde Chakona alleged that Cde Bhasikiti was openly encouraging his supporters to shun Zanu-PF programmes.

Zanu-PF provincial commissar Cde Jappy Jaboon said Cde Bhasikiti should be fired for sabotage.

“He deserves to be fired from Zanu-PF altogether because he has been working round the clock to sabotage party activities in Mwenezi to an extent that he was even encouraging his supporters to stop attending meetings called by the current provincial executive,’’ he said.

“We have compiled affidavits from party members who are testifying that Cde Bhasikiti told them not to recognise the current provincial leadership led by Cde Chakona. We have since informed the national commissariat department about Cde Bhasikiti’s conduct so that appropriate action is taken”

Cde Jaboon accused Cde Bhasikiti of manipulating ruling party structures that were stuffed with his hangers-on in Mwenezi.

Mwenezi Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Tafadzwa Shumba said Cde Bhasikiti was secretly campaigning for former Vice President Mujuru.

He said the people of Mwenezi wanted Cde Bhasikiti recalled from Parliament over his failure to repent following a failed bid by a cabal led by Dr Mujuru to unseat President Mugabe in the run-up to last year’s National People’s Congress.

“The people of Mwenezi are fed up with Cde Bhasikiti because he acts as if he is bigger than the party,” said Cde Shumba. “He also openly campaigns for former VP Dr Mujuru in Mwenezi.”

Cde Bhasikiti rubbished allegations that he was sabotaging Zanu-PF activities in Mwenezi.

“The allegations are pure lies by people who always want to lie,” he said.

“I have always fully supported party activities and recently I even provided vehicles and food to party officials who were conducting restructuring.”

Cde Bhasikiti was last week fired as Minister of State for Masvingo for conduct deemed inconsistent with his duties.

He was also accused of protecting foreign-owned companies such as Lowveld sugar producer Tongaat Hulett from complying with the country’s indigenisation and empowerment laws.