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Herald Reporter
Mashonaland East Province had become the nerve centre of factionalism in zanu-pf, but the interim executive headed by Cde Aeneas Chigwedere has vowed to restore order. zanu-pf national commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere last week appointed the interim executive that saw Cde Chigwedere being deputised by Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Joel Biggie Matiza.

The new team was set up with the mandate to restructure the province after the vote of no confidence passed on Cde Ray Kaukonde’s team and the one that had replaced them headed by Cde Phineas Chihota.

“Mashonaland East had become the seedbed of factionalism for the whole country,” said Cde Chigwedere.

“All the other provinces were getting seeds of factionalism from this province, but we will deal with that.”

Mashonaland East became a “problem child” in the run-up to zanu-pf’s 6th National People’s Congress following revelations that Cde Kaukonde was one of the chief sponsors of a plot to unconstitutionally unseat President Mugabe and replace him with former Vice President Joice Mujuru.

There was also growing anger against Cde Kaukonde in the province over allegations of imposition of candidates.

The First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe exposed Cde Kaukonde during her “Meet the People Tour”, publicly revealing that he was part of the plot to topple the President.

Cde Chigwedere said the interim executive and Central Committee members from the province were set for their maiden meeting today where they are expected to spell out their mandate as advised by Cde Kasukuwere.

“When we went to the congress, Mashonaland East didn’t have structures and people did not get feedback on what transpired at the 6th National People’s Congress; this will be an opportunity for us to do that,” he said.

“The other item on the agenda is that the new structure was tasked with restructuring the province from cell (level); so, that is what we are going to be talking about tomorrow on how to do it.”

Cde Kasukuwere has also given the Midlands provincial leadership up to the end of March to restructure the party from cell level to districts.

Midlands provincial party spokesperson Cde Cornelius Mupereri confirmed the development after a provincial coordinating committee meeting on Thursday.

He said the provincial executive was expected to meet in Gweru today to consider, among other things, the way forward on restructuring of the party.