Zimpapers Logo

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
THE future of six senior ZANU-PF party members in the Midlands Province, whom the provincial executive recommended to be suspended, now hangs in the balance after the National Disciplinary Committee delayed in responding ahead of the primary elections.

Those suspended include former ministers Fred Moyo, Chiratidzo Mabuwa, Francis Nhema, senior party members Cdes Tsitsi Zhou, Tremendous Musara and Tafanana Zhou.

The six, among others, were suspended over alleged misconduct chief among them their involvement in the G40 cabal machinations and creating parallel structures within the party.

This means, if the decision is upheld by the National Disciplinary Committee, these party members will be ordinary card-carrying members and will not be eligible to participate in the primary elections or any other election during the time of their suspension.

However, the Zanu-PF National Disciplinary Committee is yet to respond to the province leaving the members in dilemma.
In an interview, Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube said the recommendations were submitted to the National Disciplinary Committee for deliberations.
He said the National Disciplinary Committee is yet to respond.

“As an organ of the party, we made this decision and we will submit our recommendations to the National Disciplinary Committee. As a province we are saying we have not expelled these members but we will work with them at cell (village) level while they serve their suspensions.

“We are yet to get to a response from the National Disciplinary Committee,” he said.
Cde Tafanana Zhou was suspended for three years while Cde Tsitsi Zhou has been slapped with a two-year suspension. Cde Chiratidzo Mabuwa was also slapped with a three-year suspension because she was a repeat offender.

Cde Fred Moyo also got a three-year suspension for his involvement in the G40 machinations and is also a repeat offender.
Cde Nhema, who was running parallel structures in Shurugwi, has been suspended for three years. Councillors Tremendous Musara and Chiripai Chipondeni have been suspended for two years.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Midlands provincial leadership has recommended the suspension of Kwekwe Central legislator Cde Masango Matambanadzo for alleged insubordination and creating parallel structures.

Party provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mpereri confirmed the suspension saying the decision was reached after all due processes were fol- lowed.

“We have reached the decision after all due processes have been conducted. This was after the disciplinary committee sat down and went over the matter before making the decision,” said CdeMpereri.

The recommendation, he said, had been forwarded to the national executive who are expected to come up with the final decision.

“Party protocol stipulates that we can only recommend and give it to the national committee which will then come up with the final decision,” he said.

Cde Mpereri said Cde Matambabanadzo has since been served with the suspension letter and his secretary, Ms Angela Nyathi, confirmed receiving the suspension letter.

“Yes, we did receive the suspension letter but I cannot comment further than that,” she said.
According to the suspension letter seen by this paper, which was signed by deputy provincial chairman, Cde Goodwills Shiri, who also chairs the disciplinary committee, Cde Matambanadzo was barred from conducting any party business for 21 days.

“You are hereby served with this prohibition order in terms of Section 79 (1) of the ZANU-PF constitution. The effect of this prohibition is to suspend you forthwith from your position in the party and all party activities for a period of 21 days from the date of receipt of this notice,” read part of the letter.

Cde Matambanadzo was once involved in a physical fist fight with Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube that

resulted in him being prosecuted before the courts.
Much liked in the gold rich city of Kwekwe, Cde Matambanadzo has often been accused of abusing his popularity in the city to unleash a reign of terror on his enemies as well as instructing vendors to defy council directives.