Acting chairs haunt Zanu-PF
THE unresolved issue of Zanu-PF acting provincial chairpersons is threatening unity in the party ahead of next year’s harmonised elections, starting in Masvingo where the province has two chairpersons claiming legitimacy.
A leadership tussle pitting Cdes Amasa Nhenjana and Ezra Chadzamira has ushered in a new wave of confusion in the province.
Other provinces where the co-option of the chairperson was done without the input of provincial structures are reportedly facing internal rebellion.
At a provincial meeting held in Masvingo last week, Cde Nhenjana, who was the acting chair since February last year, announced the reinstatement of Cde Chadzamira as the provincial chairman.
He said the provincial executive resolved that he reverted to his position of vice chair.
But in a dramatic turn of events, Cde Nhenjana on Monday told The Herald that he never relinquished his position to Cde Chadzamira.
Politburo member and senior party official in Masvingo, Cde Josiah Hungwe, said they recognise Cde Chadzamira as the provincial chairman after Cde Nhenjana voluntarily relinquished the position.
“I convened a meeting where I called all members of the leadership in Masvingo to organise how we can thank all the people who assisted us to win the Bikita by-election and I invited Cde Nhenjana as the provincial chairman to the meeting,” he said.
“He did not pitch up on time and by the time he came he told us that they had a provincial executive meeting where they agreed that (Cde) Chadzamira be reinstated to his position as the provincial chairman.
“He (Cde Nhenjana) is the one who made the announcement in front of everyone, adding that he was now reverting to his position as vice chairman. We all said we don’t have any problem with that and we now recognise (Cde) Chadzamira as the chairman. I think he made some consultations elsewhere after the announcement and was told to reverse it.”
Cde Hungwe challenged Cde Nhenjana to come out clean if he was pressured to reverse his announcement.
Cde Nhenjana denied that he relinquished his position, adding that he was still in charge of the province.