Zimbabwe State Media Renews Threats Against Ousted ZANU-PF Officials
January 15, 2015
Takunda Maodza and Cletus Mushanawani
Zimbabwe Herald
ZANU-PF’S Manicaland Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meets in Mutare today with the fate of former secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa topping the agenda amid a growing chorus from all provinces for his immediate dismissal for behaviour inconsistent with the revolutionary party’s principles.
Cde Mutasa, now an ordinary card-carrying member, issued a statement to the private media on Tuesday in the name of the Zanu-PF secretary for Administration challenging the outcome of the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress held in December.
Congress witnessed the elevation of Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko to the vice presidency and the demotion of former Vice President Joice Mujuru to a mere card-carrying member.
Provincial chairpersons linked to Dr Mujuru were removed through votes of no confidence, while former Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo and erstwhile Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Jabulani Sibanda were expelled.
Dr Mujuru and her cabal were accused of working to undermine, depose and/or assassinate President Mugabe whom they accused of blocking Dr Mujuru’s bid for the party presidency.
Cde Mutasa has been issuing Press statements to the private media denigrating Zanu-PF and its leadership since lost the secretary for Administration’s post after failing to land a Central Committee seat in elections held in Makoni District, Manicaland.
Since then, he has become the virtual spokesperson for malcontents whose covert operation to oust President Mugabe suffered a stillbirth.
Yesterday, acting Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Dr Samuel Undenge confirmed the meeting to discuss Cde Mutasa’s fate.
“We will be having our PCC meeting at Marymount Teachers’ College tomorrow (today) at 10am. We want to come out with a position as Manicaland because we cannot allow the name of the province to be dragged into the mud. As people of Manicaland we distance ourselves from such treacherous utterances.
“No Zanu-PF constitution was flouted as what Cde Mutasa wants people to believe. The constitution has provisions for the passing of votes of no confidence to non-performing members,” said Dr Undenge.
He said the attack on President Mugabe and the First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe were uncalled for because they exposed and clamped on factionalism fanned by Dr Mujuru.
Provinces interviewed yesterday said Cde Mutasa should be expelled without further delay.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa said Cde Mutasa was now a renegade who must be immediately dismissed from the party.
“Firstly, Cde Mutasa has no authority to speak on behalf of Zanu-PF. In the press statement he is masquerading as the national secretary for administration when clearly he is not. His statement demonstrates that he is a renegade and has no place in Zanu-PF. Obviously, this matter should be handled by the Politburo and the Central Committee,” he said.
“But as the Harare province, we are very clear that Cde Mutasa and those who subscribe to his counter-revolutionary stance as demonstrated in the statement must be expelled from the party.”
Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said Cde Mutasa should be dismissed from the party for behaviour inconsistent with party principles.
“In our view, we do not have to give him any credibility. He was defeated in his home province and he then talks of one man, one vote. In the first place, he was not elected to be secretary for administration. He was appointed. He is just an old man barking for attention. He should be expelled. The moment you continuously say things against the principles of your own party, you should be expelled. He should have long been dismissed from the party but the President has been a forgiving man since 1980,” said Cde Ziyambi.
“We wanted him fired at congress. The President is one for reconciliation but Cde Mutasa is beyond redemption.”
In Masvingo, acting provincial chairperson Cde Paradzai Chakona said utterances by Cde Mutasa showed that he was no longer a Zanu-PF cadre and must therefore be dismissed without further delay.
“Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party. As a revolutionary party if you are a card carrying Zanu-PF member you follow the leadership that is there. If you follow a leadership that has rebelled, you are also a rebel. Cde Mutasa is now a rebel. Before he was appointed secretary for administration there were cadres that were in that position and were relieved of their duties but still remained loyal to the party. He should be dismissed immediately. This is the position of Masvingo province. We are saying he has gotten out of hand and should be kicked out of the party,” he said.
Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Cde Dickson Mafios said Cde Mutasa had exposed his true colours and must be dealt with accordingly.
“He has shown his true colours. It is true that ‘they’ are rebels and they have now come out in the open. Zanu-PF has no shortage of leaders. He is an outcast and must be expelled from the party immediately,” said Cde Mafios.
He said it was shocking that Cde Mutasa was feigning ignorance of developments (at congress) that happened during his tenure as secretary for administration before he fell from grace.
Midlands provincial chairperson Cde Kizito Chivamba said Cde Mutasa had unwittingly exposed his counterrevolutionary character and must therefore be expelled from Zanu-PF.
“This man no longer has any business with us as Zanu-PF. The President should declare his constituency vacant on his return so that we have a by-election. He is no longer with us. He is no longer a Zanu-PF cadre according to the statement he released in the private media. His true colours have been exposed. He has failed to destroy Zanu-PF from within and he will end up like Simba Makoni and Dumiso Dabengwa. This is his end. These are now rebels and we in the Midlands will organise against them strongly. We will not support malcontents who disrespect President Mugabe,” he said.
Matabeleland North Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo said they stood by the outcome of the December National People’s Congress.
“Cde Mutasa must be expelled the same way that we dealt with Rugare Gumbo. He has failed. After losing his position he should have accepted his fate and corrected his shortcomings instead of issuing senseless statements to the media,” he said.
Zanu PF deputy chairperson for the Youth League Cde Kudzanai Chipanga said they were calling for the expulsion of Cde Mutasa from the revolutionary party.
“As the youth we are saying what Cde Mutasa said is rubbish, it’s utter hogwash. He has been overtaken by events and is living in 2014 when we are in 2015. We recommend that he be expelled from the party as soon as possible because he is now defying Congress.
“Cde Mutasa is no longer secretary for administration of the party but just a card carrying member. What he is doing purporting to be the secretary for administration is meant to confuse the membership of the party. So, as we say, it is time to separate oil and water by simply dismissing him from the party,” Cde Chipanga said.
At a joint press conference of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association and the Zimbabwe ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association, ZNLWVA Secretary General Cde Victor Matemadanda echoed similar sentiments.
“We recommend that the party takes decisive action against Cde Mutasa and the cabal of conspirators such as Dzikamai Mavhaire, Ray Kaukonde, Temba Mliswa and Tendai Savanhu including the cabal’s remnants in Government including Jason Machaya, Andrew Langa, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Lazarus Dokora, Paddington Zhanda, Fred Moyo and Chiratidzo Mabuwa among others.
“This is not the end of the chapter; there are others we are going to expose and recommend to the President and Politburo for their expulsion,” he said.
‘We are also going to call on the President to call for a by-election in Cde Mutasa’s Headlands constituency so that we have a new MP who is Zanu PF-compliant,” said Cde Matemadanda.
Province writes to Politburo
January 16, 2015
Cletus Mushanawani and Felex Share
Zimbabwe Herald
ZANU-PF Manicaland Province yesterday wrote to the Politburo recommending the expulsion of former secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa for denigrating President Mugabe and the ruling party.
The decision was made at a Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting attended by members of the Youth League, Women’s League, the main wing, war veterans, war collaborators, ex-detainees and Members of Parliament.
The meeting was held at Mutare Polytechnic where the members also agreed that Cde Mutasa be recalled as Headlands National Assembly member as he could no longer enjoy the privilege of representing zanu-pf in the august House.
A member of the Manicaland PCC Cde Oppah Muchinguri confirmed that a letter recommending the expulsion of Cde Mutasa had been written.
“By his actions, he has already expelled himself,” said Cde Muchinguri.
“He is a card-carrying member from Manicaland and for him to make a statement without consulting us as the province is unacceptable.
“We distance ourselves from his actions. It’s simply lack of respect for President Mugabe who has chosen Cde (Ignatius) Chombo to be the new secretary for Administration.
“His blow-by-blow attack on Congress is baffling because he took part in the organisation of that Congress.
“The fact that he failed to win an election to the Central Committee does not mean that there is no democracy in Zanu-PF.”
Cde Muchinguri said Cde Mutasa’s use of the Zanu-PF letterhead and symbol on his statement to the private media was offensive.
Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa, who hails from the province, addressed the meeting explaining the gravity of Cde Mutasa’s statement.
After Cde Chinamasa enlightened the meeting on the matter, everyone was in agreement that Cde Mutasa should be given the boot.
They said the resolution to expel Cde Mutasa should be forwarded to the Politburo as soon as possible so that the party’s highest decision making body outside Congress can expel him expeditiously.
“We have a serious disease here in Manicaland, but the unfortunate thing is that most senior members are the victims of the political disease,” said Cde Chinamasa.
“The same power hungry disease that affected the likes of Ndabaningi Sithole, Abel Muzorewa, Edgar Tekere, Margaret Dongo, Morgan Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni has taken a toll on Didymus Mutasa. However, what the nation needs to know is that people of Manicaland have developed immunity to this disease and they know how to dump those infected.
“We were all shocked to read Cde Mutasa disowning a process which he was part of since the beginning up to the days of the Congress. He was actively involved in the organisation of the chaotic youth conference. It was the same with the women’s conference, but today out of the blue he is saying the whole process was flawed.
“No degree of madness surpasses this and if there is anyone who can find a proper psychiatrist, he should assist our dear lost comrade.”
Cde Chinamasa said Cde Mutasa showed his political naivety by writing to Sadc and the African Union seeking their intervention on the issue, forgetting that Zanu-PF is not an affiliate of those organisations.
“One major issue which we cannot forgive Cde Mutasa is his utterances that the highly successful 6th National People’s Congress was a non-event,” he said.
“This is pure madness. Kupenga kwakaita sei ikoko? According to all those who had a chance to sit in all the congresses held since 1963, they said last December’s Congress was the best in terms of everything. More than 12 000 delegates participated at the Congress,” cde Chinamasa said.
“He participated in all the meetings where these resolutions were passed even here in Manicaland. He was part and parcel of the constitutional amendments deliberations both in the Politburo and Central Committee. Everything was done above board and the amendments were taken to the Central Committee where they were ratified and accepted,” he said.
“On the issue of one-man, one-vote, Cde Mutasa should be the last person to claim that there is no democracy in the party. He lost the Central Committee elections where he actively participated. He is one person who did not go through a primary election to win a parliamentary seat. Every time when we were preparing to go for an election he would ensure that there was no challenger in his constituency, but today he is uttering rubbish saying there is no democracy in the party.
“Cde Mutasa should wake up to reality and know that he is no longer secretary for Administration. His position was filled by Dr Chombo.”
Lawyers snub Didymus Mutasa
. . . Manicaland moves for expulsion • Mujuru cabal on back foot
January 16, 2015
Herald Reporter
IT never rains, but pours for beleaguered former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, who has been leading the charge to sue Zanu-PF so that he and other members of the Mujuru cabal are reinstated to their former positions in the party and Government as several lawyers refused to associate themselves with the application which legal experts said had no chance of success.
Laden with donor money, Cde Mutasa and the cabal were yesterday frantically hunting for a willing lawyer to take up the case, but failed to find one.
The Mujuru cabal drafted its application with the help of former Attorney-General Sobusa Gula Ndebele and Mr Addington Chinake, a senior partner at Kantor and Immerman.
They came up with 39 grounds for the application, ranging from alleged defamation to claims of unprocedural adoption of amendments to the Zanu-PF Constitution and alleged unlawful removal from office.
The application makes allegations of defamation against various individuals, principally the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe who exposed former VP Joice Mujuru’s illegal dealings in gold, diamonds, high-level bribery and extortion, among other ills.
Ironically, the First Lady was not even a Zanu-PF official till her appointment as Women’s League chairperson at the 6th National People’s Congress in December.
The application seeks to have the Court order the reinstatement of the leadership of Zanu-PF — the Central Committee and the Politburo — and Government as at July 1, 2014.
Lawyers who saw the cabal’s application described it as a rambling compendium that was more of a political dossier than a court application.
Though Mr Gula Ndebele and Mr Chinake were working closely with the Mujuru cabal to put together the application, they apparently did not have confidence in their product and sought to hide their authorship by shopping around for a law firm to use to instruct an advocate.
When a case involves an advocate, there have to be instructing lawyers.
Mr Gula Ndebele and Mr Chinake wanted a law firm to adopt the case and instruct the advocate whom they were also shopping around for.
They approached several advocates, among them Advocate Lewis Uriri whom they wanted to take the application to the High Court, and they also wanted Adv Uriri’s wife, who runs her own law firm, to be the instructing attorney but the couple snubbed them.
They approached several other lawyers who also snubbed them on the basis that the application was long on politics and short on law.
From Adv Uriri, the cabal approached Adv Thabani Mpofu who also snubbed them on the basis of the politics of the case whose legal merits are hard to come by though political allegations abound.
After serial snubs, the Mujuru cabal was yesterday scrambling for plan C that is having either Mr Gula Ndebele or Mr Chinake, who both wanted to remain anonymous, handle the case.
Mr Gula Ndebele, in particular, came under heavy pressure to take the case as the cabal wanted to file the papers by end of day yesterday.
There were reports that Mr Stanford Moyo and one Retired Colonel Matemachani were busy lobbying for the case in judicial circles.
One of the lawyers who was approached to handle the case who refused to be identified confirmed the matter was now public knowledge among lawyers.
Describing how he refused to handle the case, the lawyer said: “We are a clinic and if a client comes saying he wants Ebola treatment, if we are not able we simply tell him that we do not have protective clothing or we do not treat Ebola at out our centre”.
Adv Uriri said even if he had been approached he would not discuss clients applications.
“I would not discuss it with anyone because it would be covered by privilege,” he said
Advocate Mpofu refused to comment.
Mr Stanford Moyo professed ignorance saying: “I am not aware of that application. Who are the lawyers? No one has consulted me in connection with that application. We deal with cases in a transparent and open manner. I would have no reason to deny that I am dealing with a particular case. I do not fear anyone when it comes to representing my clients.”
A retired judge who is familiar with Cde Mutasa’s allegations but who did not want to be named for ethical reasons told the Herald that; “It is common cause firstly that Mr Mutasa lost a one man one vote election to the Zanu-PF Central Committe in his own home district in Makoni where the returning officer was reportedly his own son; and secondly that, as the then Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Mr Mutasa was the chief organiser and convener of the party’s 6th National People’s Congress which he is now challenging.
‘’As such, Mr Mutasa should sue himself by citing his name as the first respondent since he organised that Congress. Notably the Central Committee elections and the Congress were run on the basis of the unamended Zanu-PF constitution”.
Since Cde Mutasa announced his intention to approach the courts over the Zanu-PF Congress and its outcome, legal experts dismissed his chances of success saying political parties were private clubs.
Said leading lawyer and legislator Mr Jonathan Samukange: “There is a difference between suing and winning. Any person can sue, but it’s not automatic that they will win. So, if Cde Mutasa says he wants to sue it is his right, but he will not succeed.s
“There is no court that can direct operations of a political party, so the court will throw away his application because it’s not merited and has no cause for action. Zanu-PF, just like a private person, has a right to make determinations of its own form.”
Another lawyer Mr Musindo Hungwe said the resolutions made at the Zanu-PF congress were unassailable.
“If one wants to challenge the outcome he must ask three questions – the first one being whether or not any provisions of the Zanu-PF constitution were infringed upon,” he said.
“The second one being whether or not all those resolutions passed at the congress could lawfully be passed in terms of the party’s constitution.
“Finally, one should ask whether or not the congress was properly constituted in other words whether or not the delegates who attended the congress could lawfully attend and sit down and deliberate on Zanu-PF business.
“From my own analysis, the answer to all the inquiries is in the affirmative which could make resolutions passed at the congress unassailable and therefore binding on Zanu-PF as a party and the generality of its members.”
Another lawyer Mr Terrence Hussein said Cde Mutasa’s decision to absent himself from the congress would complicate his case, adding that the constitutional amendments that were made at the congress were done above board.
Harare lawyer Mr Chris Mhike said Cde Mutasa faced a number of legal challenges if he eventually decided to proceed with litigation.
“The success or otherwise of his claim if he does proceed with litigation would depend on a number of factors including, first, whether or not the court acknowledges jurisdiction over the matter, secondly if jurisdiction is accepted, the weight and veracity of arguments presented by the aggrieved parties,” he said.
“Thirdly, the justification proffered by the litigant as to why he opted for court process instead of internal remedies.”
Acting President blasts delusional Mutasa
January 16, 2015
Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday dismissed former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa as “sick” after he said he was seeking the nullification of resolutions of the party’s 6th National People’s Congress held last month. This came as the party’s secretary for the Commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday said the Politburo and his department would not stand in the way of Manicaland Province if it adopted a resolution to expel or suspend Cde Mutasa.
Addressing members of the Midlands Provincial Co-ordinating Committee at the Zanu-PF Convention Centre in Gweru, Cde Mnangagwa said the 6th National People’s Congress held last December was the biggest, most democratic and most representative.
“We are surprised with Cde Mutasa’s utterances through the media with regards to some of the resolutions made,” he said.
“First of all, VaMutasa ndivo vakatinyorera tsamba vakatikoka kumusangano uyu. He also asked all provinces to submit their resolutions ahead of the congress in his capacity as secretary for Administration. He went on to organise the congress himself.
“He then failed to attend because he was not feeling well and he went to South Africa. Now, when we heard what he said in the media takati uyu unorwara uyu. Kwatova kurwara chaiko.”
Cde Mnangagwa warned members of the party against defying party directives and policies, saying perpetrators would be axed from the party.
“We must never feel bigger than the party no matter how senior you think you are because if you do so, we will not hesitate to axe you,” he said.
“Anyone can be axed because the axe that the party uses is not selective. Gumbo mumba, gumbo panze harina kunaka (do not flip-flop). We must learn to humble ourselves and be united. Let us respect each other.”
Cde Mnangagwa praised First Lady and secretary for Women Affairs Amai Grace Mugabe for changing the complexion of the party by naming and shaming corrupt individuals as well as exposing other machinations.
“We didn’t know that President Mugabe had a strong weapon,” he said. “Stronger than the nuclear bomb. When Dr Mugabe was invited to lead the Women’s League, she exposed corruption and changed our perceptions.”
Addressing the same Midlands PCC, Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mutasa’s fate lay in the hands of Manicaland, the province where he hails from.
“We hear that there are letters that are being written to us from Manicaland with regards to Cde Mutasa’s issue,” he said.
“We hope they will do the right thing and we will not stand in their way.
“If we receive the letters that are said to have been written, the commissariat will quickly take action and the Politburo will endorse it.”
Cde Kasukuwere lambasted Cde Mutasa for threatening to form his own party and for threatening some of the senior party cadres with unspecified action.
“Cde Mutasa threatened that he will sort us out,” he said. “How does he intend to do that? Nyati (referring to Mutasa) do not start things that you cannot finish. Do not start battles that you cannot fight. Musatange zvamusingagone.
“If you (Mutasa) want to take us head-on we are up to the challenge. He will retire in pieces. We discovered that Mutasa was manipulating party programmes such as the Zim-Asset to aid his political mileage.”
Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mnangagwa was the rightful person for the post of Vice President.
He said candidates interested in contesting in the parliamentary seats left vacant by Cde Mnangagwa and former Vice President Joice Mujuru could start submitting their CVs.
The new Constitution stipulates that by virtue of being appointed to the post of Vice President one losses one’s parliamentary seat, which left Cde Mnangagwa’s Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe Constituency vacant as well as Cde Mujuru’s Mt Darwin West.
President Mugabe has since proclaimed March 27 as the date for the by-elections, with the nomination court sitting on January 29 at the Magistrates Court, Main Street, Bindura and the Magistrates Court, Main Street, Gweru to received papers of interested candidates.
Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi yesterday said Cde Mutasa should be expelled from the party.
He said Cde Mutasa should apologise to the youths for the chaotic manner in which the Youth League elections were handled last August.
“We, therefore, view Mr DNE Mutasa and his cabal as unrepentant people in the party who have no respect for our President, Cde RG Mugabe and the party constitution,” he said.
“In his case, Mr Mutasa has no place in Zanu-PF and should be expelled from the party for his divisive and insisting utterances against the party and its leadership.”
Demo against Mutasa
January 16, 2015
Farirai Machivenyika
Hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters here yesterday demonstrated against their representative in the National Assembly Cde Didymus Mutasa, calling for his expulsion from the party for various indiscretions. The supporters demonstrated in the constituency with placards denouncing Cde Mutasa’s misdemeanours.
Some of the placards read, “Didymus Mutasa is corrupt”, Didymus Mutasa imposed himself on Headlands,” “Didymus Mutasa is a traitor”, “Didymus Mutasa imhondi” and “Didymus Mutasa must be expelled from Zanu-PF”.
Member of the Manicaland provincial executive Cde Christopher Chingoshe presented a petition to be forwarded to the Politburo on behalf of the constituency.
“All the eight wards and 24 party districts signed the petition and our grievances against Cde Mutasa,” he said.
In the petition, Headlands constituency called for Cde Mutasa’s expulsion from the party and that he be recalled from Parliament.
The constituency also accused Cde Mutasa of confusing party structures by imposing leaders and asked for an audit across all the structures in the province.
“Cde Mutasa also interfered with traditional leadership,” Cde Chingoshe said while reading out the petition. “As a constituency, we also want an audit of all farms because Cde Mutasa was allocating farms to his friends, relatives, girlfriends and protected whites.”
Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa addressed the crowd and told them of the Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee’s decision to recommend to the Politburo for Cde Mutasa’s expulsion.
He said Cde Mutasa had denigrated the party, its leadership and structures.
Cde Oppah Muchinguri, who is the Zanu-PF secretary for Transport and Welfare said Cde Mutasa had grown big headed.
“He has forgotten that just like fish derives its power from water his power came from the people and they rejected him,” she said.
“All the grievances you have made in the petition we knew them already, so we will take them up to the Politburo.”
Cde Muchinguri said Cde Mutasa’s letter had brought the party into disrepute so he was supposed to be expelled.
“Even those who still follow Cde Mutasa will meet the same fate he has met,” she said.
“We want all those who followed him to come forward and confess and they will be forgiven. There should be unity in the party and we should go all out and bring all those that had left the party.”
Cde Muchinguri said that a restructuring of the party’s structures would be carried out soon and urged the supporters to choose leaders dedicated to the party and its ideals. She said the land issue would be addressed urgently, with a meeting of the provincial leadership scheduled for tomorrow.
Takunda Maodza and Cletus Mushanawani
Zimbabwe Herald
ZANU-PF’S Manicaland Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meets in Mutare today with the fate of former secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa topping the agenda amid a growing chorus from all provinces for his immediate dismissal for behaviour inconsistent with the revolutionary party’s principles.
Cde Mutasa, now an ordinary card-carrying member, issued a statement to the private media on Tuesday in the name of the Zanu-PF secretary for Administration challenging the outcome of the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress held in December.
Congress witnessed the elevation of Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko to the vice presidency and the demotion of former Vice President Joice Mujuru to a mere card-carrying member.
Provincial chairpersons linked to Dr Mujuru were removed through votes of no confidence, while former Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo and erstwhile Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Jabulani Sibanda were expelled.
Dr Mujuru and her cabal were accused of working to undermine, depose and/or assassinate President Mugabe whom they accused of blocking Dr Mujuru’s bid for the party presidency.
Cde Mutasa has been issuing Press statements to the private media denigrating Zanu-PF and its leadership since lost the secretary for Administration’s post after failing to land a Central Committee seat in elections held in Makoni District, Manicaland.
Since then, he has become the virtual spokesperson for malcontents whose covert operation to oust President Mugabe suffered a stillbirth.
Yesterday, acting Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Dr Samuel Undenge confirmed the meeting to discuss Cde Mutasa’s fate.
“We will be having our PCC meeting at Marymount Teachers’ College tomorrow (today) at 10am. We want to come out with a position as Manicaland because we cannot allow the name of the province to be dragged into the mud. As people of Manicaland we distance ourselves from such treacherous utterances.
“No Zanu-PF constitution was flouted as what Cde Mutasa wants people to believe. The constitution has provisions for the passing of votes of no confidence to non-performing members,” said Dr Undenge.
He said the attack on President Mugabe and the First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe were uncalled for because they exposed and clamped on factionalism fanned by Dr Mujuru.
Provinces interviewed yesterday said Cde Mutasa should be expelled without further delay.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa said Cde Mutasa was now a renegade who must be immediately dismissed from the party.
“Firstly, Cde Mutasa has no authority to speak on behalf of Zanu-PF. In the press statement he is masquerading as the national secretary for administration when clearly he is not. His statement demonstrates that he is a renegade and has no place in Zanu-PF. Obviously, this matter should be handled by the Politburo and the Central Committee,” he said.
“But as the Harare province, we are very clear that Cde Mutasa and those who subscribe to his counter-revolutionary stance as demonstrated in the statement must be expelled from the party.”
Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said Cde Mutasa should be dismissed from the party for behaviour inconsistent with party principles.
“In our view, we do not have to give him any credibility. He was defeated in his home province and he then talks of one man, one vote. In the first place, he was not elected to be secretary for administration. He was appointed. He is just an old man barking for attention. He should be expelled. The moment you continuously say things against the principles of your own party, you should be expelled. He should have long been dismissed from the party but the President has been a forgiving man since 1980,” said Cde Ziyambi.
“We wanted him fired at congress. The President is one for reconciliation but Cde Mutasa is beyond redemption.”
In Masvingo, acting provincial chairperson Cde Paradzai Chakona said utterances by Cde Mutasa showed that he was no longer a Zanu-PF cadre and must therefore be dismissed without further delay.
“Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party. As a revolutionary party if you are a card carrying Zanu-PF member you follow the leadership that is there. If you follow a leadership that has rebelled, you are also a rebel. Cde Mutasa is now a rebel. Before he was appointed secretary for administration there were cadres that were in that position and were relieved of their duties but still remained loyal to the party. He should be dismissed immediately. This is the position of Masvingo province. We are saying he has gotten out of hand and should be kicked out of the party,” he said.
Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Cde Dickson Mafios said Cde Mutasa had exposed his true colours and must be dealt with accordingly.
“He has shown his true colours. It is true that ‘they’ are rebels and they have now come out in the open. Zanu-PF has no shortage of leaders. He is an outcast and must be expelled from the party immediately,” said Cde Mafios.
He said it was shocking that Cde Mutasa was feigning ignorance of developments (at congress) that happened during his tenure as secretary for administration before he fell from grace.
Midlands provincial chairperson Cde Kizito Chivamba said Cde Mutasa had unwittingly exposed his counterrevolutionary character and must therefore be expelled from Zanu-PF.
“This man no longer has any business with us as Zanu-PF. The President should declare his constituency vacant on his return so that we have a by-election. He is no longer with us. He is no longer a Zanu-PF cadre according to the statement he released in the private media. His true colours have been exposed. He has failed to destroy Zanu-PF from within and he will end up like Simba Makoni and Dumiso Dabengwa. This is his end. These are now rebels and we in the Midlands will organise against them strongly. We will not support malcontents who disrespect President Mugabe,” he said.
Matabeleland North Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo said they stood by the outcome of the December National People’s Congress.
“Cde Mutasa must be expelled the same way that we dealt with Rugare Gumbo. He has failed. After losing his position he should have accepted his fate and corrected his shortcomings instead of issuing senseless statements to the media,” he said.
Zanu PF deputy chairperson for the Youth League Cde Kudzanai Chipanga said they were calling for the expulsion of Cde Mutasa from the revolutionary party.
“As the youth we are saying what Cde Mutasa said is rubbish, it’s utter hogwash. He has been overtaken by events and is living in 2014 when we are in 2015. We recommend that he be expelled from the party as soon as possible because he is now defying Congress.
“Cde Mutasa is no longer secretary for administration of the party but just a card carrying member. What he is doing purporting to be the secretary for administration is meant to confuse the membership of the party. So, as we say, it is time to separate oil and water by simply dismissing him from the party,” Cde Chipanga said.
At a joint press conference of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association and the Zimbabwe ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association, ZNLWVA Secretary General Cde Victor Matemadanda echoed similar sentiments.
“We recommend that the party takes decisive action against Cde Mutasa and the cabal of conspirators such as Dzikamai Mavhaire, Ray Kaukonde, Temba Mliswa and Tendai Savanhu including the cabal’s remnants in Government including Jason Machaya, Andrew Langa, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Lazarus Dokora, Paddington Zhanda, Fred Moyo and Chiratidzo Mabuwa among others.
“This is not the end of the chapter; there are others we are going to expose and recommend to the President and Politburo for their expulsion,” he said.
‘We are also going to call on the President to call for a by-election in Cde Mutasa’s Headlands constituency so that we have a new MP who is Zanu PF-compliant,” said Cde Matemadanda.
Province writes to Politburo
January 16, 2015
Cletus Mushanawani and Felex Share
Zimbabwe Herald
ZANU-PF Manicaland Province yesterday wrote to the Politburo recommending the expulsion of former secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa for denigrating President Mugabe and the ruling party.
The decision was made at a Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting attended by members of the Youth League, Women’s League, the main wing, war veterans, war collaborators, ex-detainees and Members of Parliament.
The meeting was held at Mutare Polytechnic where the members also agreed that Cde Mutasa be recalled as Headlands National Assembly member as he could no longer enjoy the privilege of representing zanu-pf in the august House.
A member of the Manicaland PCC Cde Oppah Muchinguri confirmed that a letter recommending the expulsion of Cde Mutasa had been written.
“By his actions, he has already expelled himself,” said Cde Muchinguri.
“He is a card-carrying member from Manicaland and for him to make a statement without consulting us as the province is unacceptable.
“We distance ourselves from his actions. It’s simply lack of respect for President Mugabe who has chosen Cde (Ignatius) Chombo to be the new secretary for Administration.
“His blow-by-blow attack on Congress is baffling because he took part in the organisation of that Congress.
“The fact that he failed to win an election to the Central Committee does not mean that there is no democracy in Zanu-PF.”
Cde Muchinguri said Cde Mutasa’s use of the Zanu-PF letterhead and symbol on his statement to the private media was offensive.
Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa, who hails from the province, addressed the meeting explaining the gravity of Cde Mutasa’s statement.
After Cde Chinamasa enlightened the meeting on the matter, everyone was in agreement that Cde Mutasa should be given the boot.
They said the resolution to expel Cde Mutasa should be forwarded to the Politburo as soon as possible so that the party’s highest decision making body outside Congress can expel him expeditiously.
“We have a serious disease here in Manicaland, but the unfortunate thing is that most senior members are the victims of the political disease,” said Cde Chinamasa.
“The same power hungry disease that affected the likes of Ndabaningi Sithole, Abel Muzorewa, Edgar Tekere, Margaret Dongo, Morgan Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni has taken a toll on Didymus Mutasa. However, what the nation needs to know is that people of Manicaland have developed immunity to this disease and they know how to dump those infected.
“We were all shocked to read Cde Mutasa disowning a process which he was part of since the beginning up to the days of the Congress. He was actively involved in the organisation of the chaotic youth conference. It was the same with the women’s conference, but today out of the blue he is saying the whole process was flawed.
“No degree of madness surpasses this and if there is anyone who can find a proper psychiatrist, he should assist our dear lost comrade.”
Cde Chinamasa said Cde Mutasa showed his political naivety by writing to Sadc and the African Union seeking their intervention on the issue, forgetting that Zanu-PF is not an affiliate of those organisations.
“One major issue which we cannot forgive Cde Mutasa is his utterances that the highly successful 6th National People’s Congress was a non-event,” he said.
“This is pure madness. Kupenga kwakaita sei ikoko? According to all those who had a chance to sit in all the congresses held since 1963, they said last December’s Congress was the best in terms of everything. More than 12 000 delegates participated at the Congress,” cde Chinamasa said.
“He participated in all the meetings where these resolutions were passed even here in Manicaland. He was part and parcel of the constitutional amendments deliberations both in the Politburo and Central Committee. Everything was done above board and the amendments were taken to the Central Committee where they were ratified and accepted,” he said.
“On the issue of one-man, one-vote, Cde Mutasa should be the last person to claim that there is no democracy in the party. He lost the Central Committee elections where he actively participated. He is one person who did not go through a primary election to win a parliamentary seat. Every time when we were preparing to go for an election he would ensure that there was no challenger in his constituency, but today he is uttering rubbish saying there is no democracy in the party.
“Cde Mutasa should wake up to reality and know that he is no longer secretary for Administration. His position was filled by Dr Chombo.”
Lawyers snub Didymus Mutasa
. . . Manicaland moves for expulsion • Mujuru cabal on back foot
January 16, 2015
Herald Reporter
IT never rains, but pours for beleaguered former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, who has been leading the charge to sue Zanu-PF so that he and other members of the Mujuru cabal are reinstated to their former positions in the party and Government as several lawyers refused to associate themselves with the application which legal experts said had no chance of success.
Laden with donor money, Cde Mutasa and the cabal were yesterday frantically hunting for a willing lawyer to take up the case, but failed to find one.
The Mujuru cabal drafted its application with the help of former Attorney-General Sobusa Gula Ndebele and Mr Addington Chinake, a senior partner at Kantor and Immerman.
They came up with 39 grounds for the application, ranging from alleged defamation to claims of unprocedural adoption of amendments to the Zanu-PF Constitution and alleged unlawful removal from office.
The application makes allegations of defamation against various individuals, principally the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe who exposed former VP Joice Mujuru’s illegal dealings in gold, diamonds, high-level bribery and extortion, among other ills.
Ironically, the First Lady was not even a Zanu-PF official till her appointment as Women’s League chairperson at the 6th National People’s Congress in December.
The application seeks to have the Court order the reinstatement of the leadership of Zanu-PF — the Central Committee and the Politburo — and Government as at July 1, 2014.
Lawyers who saw the cabal’s application described it as a rambling compendium that was more of a political dossier than a court application.
Though Mr Gula Ndebele and Mr Chinake were working closely with the Mujuru cabal to put together the application, they apparently did not have confidence in their product and sought to hide their authorship by shopping around for a law firm to use to instruct an advocate.
When a case involves an advocate, there have to be instructing lawyers.
Mr Gula Ndebele and Mr Chinake wanted a law firm to adopt the case and instruct the advocate whom they were also shopping around for.
They approached several advocates, among them Advocate Lewis Uriri whom they wanted to take the application to the High Court, and they also wanted Adv Uriri’s wife, who runs her own law firm, to be the instructing attorney but the couple snubbed them.
They approached several other lawyers who also snubbed them on the basis that the application was long on politics and short on law.
From Adv Uriri, the cabal approached Adv Thabani Mpofu who also snubbed them on the basis of the politics of the case whose legal merits are hard to come by though political allegations abound.
After serial snubs, the Mujuru cabal was yesterday scrambling for plan C that is having either Mr Gula Ndebele or Mr Chinake, who both wanted to remain anonymous, handle the case.
Mr Gula Ndebele, in particular, came under heavy pressure to take the case as the cabal wanted to file the papers by end of day yesterday.
There were reports that Mr Stanford Moyo and one Retired Colonel Matemachani were busy lobbying for the case in judicial circles.
One of the lawyers who was approached to handle the case who refused to be identified confirmed the matter was now public knowledge among lawyers.
Describing how he refused to handle the case, the lawyer said: “We are a clinic and if a client comes saying he wants Ebola treatment, if we are not able we simply tell him that we do not have protective clothing or we do not treat Ebola at out our centre”.
Adv Uriri said even if he had been approached he would not discuss clients applications.
“I would not discuss it with anyone because it would be covered by privilege,” he said
Advocate Mpofu refused to comment.
Mr Stanford Moyo professed ignorance saying: “I am not aware of that application. Who are the lawyers? No one has consulted me in connection with that application. We deal with cases in a transparent and open manner. I would have no reason to deny that I am dealing with a particular case. I do not fear anyone when it comes to representing my clients.”
A retired judge who is familiar with Cde Mutasa’s allegations but who did not want to be named for ethical reasons told the Herald that; “It is common cause firstly that Mr Mutasa lost a one man one vote election to the Zanu-PF Central Committe in his own home district in Makoni where the returning officer was reportedly his own son; and secondly that, as the then Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Mr Mutasa was the chief organiser and convener of the party’s 6th National People’s Congress which he is now challenging.
‘’As such, Mr Mutasa should sue himself by citing his name as the first respondent since he organised that Congress. Notably the Central Committee elections and the Congress were run on the basis of the unamended Zanu-PF constitution”.
Since Cde Mutasa announced his intention to approach the courts over the Zanu-PF Congress and its outcome, legal experts dismissed his chances of success saying political parties were private clubs.
Said leading lawyer and legislator Mr Jonathan Samukange: “There is a difference between suing and winning. Any person can sue, but it’s not automatic that they will win. So, if Cde Mutasa says he wants to sue it is his right, but he will not succeed.s
“There is no court that can direct operations of a political party, so the court will throw away his application because it’s not merited and has no cause for action. Zanu-PF, just like a private person, has a right to make determinations of its own form.”
Another lawyer Mr Musindo Hungwe said the resolutions made at the Zanu-PF congress were unassailable.
“If one wants to challenge the outcome he must ask three questions – the first one being whether or not any provisions of the Zanu-PF constitution were infringed upon,” he said.
“The second one being whether or not all those resolutions passed at the congress could lawfully be passed in terms of the party’s constitution.
“Finally, one should ask whether or not the congress was properly constituted in other words whether or not the delegates who attended the congress could lawfully attend and sit down and deliberate on Zanu-PF business.
“From my own analysis, the answer to all the inquiries is in the affirmative which could make resolutions passed at the congress unassailable and therefore binding on Zanu-PF as a party and the generality of its members.”
Another lawyer Mr Terrence Hussein said Cde Mutasa’s decision to absent himself from the congress would complicate his case, adding that the constitutional amendments that were made at the congress were done above board.
Harare lawyer Mr Chris Mhike said Cde Mutasa faced a number of legal challenges if he eventually decided to proceed with litigation.
“The success or otherwise of his claim if he does proceed with litigation would depend on a number of factors including, first, whether or not the court acknowledges jurisdiction over the matter, secondly if jurisdiction is accepted, the weight and veracity of arguments presented by the aggrieved parties,” he said.
“Thirdly, the justification proffered by the litigant as to why he opted for court process instead of internal remedies.”
Acting President blasts delusional Mutasa
January 16, 2015
Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday dismissed former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa as “sick” after he said he was seeking the nullification of resolutions of the party’s 6th National People’s Congress held last month. This came as the party’s secretary for the Commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday said the Politburo and his department would not stand in the way of Manicaland Province if it adopted a resolution to expel or suspend Cde Mutasa.
Addressing members of the Midlands Provincial Co-ordinating Committee at the Zanu-PF Convention Centre in Gweru, Cde Mnangagwa said the 6th National People’s Congress held last December was the biggest, most democratic and most representative.
“We are surprised with Cde Mutasa’s utterances through the media with regards to some of the resolutions made,” he said.
“First of all, VaMutasa ndivo vakatinyorera tsamba vakatikoka kumusangano uyu. He also asked all provinces to submit their resolutions ahead of the congress in his capacity as secretary for Administration. He went on to organise the congress himself.
“He then failed to attend because he was not feeling well and he went to South Africa. Now, when we heard what he said in the media takati uyu unorwara uyu. Kwatova kurwara chaiko.”
Cde Mnangagwa warned members of the party against defying party directives and policies, saying perpetrators would be axed from the party.
“We must never feel bigger than the party no matter how senior you think you are because if you do so, we will not hesitate to axe you,” he said.
“Anyone can be axed because the axe that the party uses is not selective. Gumbo mumba, gumbo panze harina kunaka (do not flip-flop). We must learn to humble ourselves and be united. Let us respect each other.”
Cde Mnangagwa praised First Lady and secretary for Women Affairs Amai Grace Mugabe for changing the complexion of the party by naming and shaming corrupt individuals as well as exposing other machinations.
“We didn’t know that President Mugabe had a strong weapon,” he said. “Stronger than the nuclear bomb. When Dr Mugabe was invited to lead the Women’s League, she exposed corruption and changed our perceptions.”
Addressing the same Midlands PCC, Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mutasa’s fate lay in the hands of Manicaland, the province where he hails from.
“We hear that there are letters that are being written to us from Manicaland with regards to Cde Mutasa’s issue,” he said.
“We hope they will do the right thing and we will not stand in their way.
“If we receive the letters that are said to have been written, the commissariat will quickly take action and the Politburo will endorse it.”
Cde Kasukuwere lambasted Cde Mutasa for threatening to form his own party and for threatening some of the senior party cadres with unspecified action.
“Cde Mutasa threatened that he will sort us out,” he said. “How does he intend to do that? Nyati (referring to Mutasa) do not start things that you cannot finish. Do not start battles that you cannot fight. Musatange zvamusingagone.
“If you (Mutasa) want to take us head-on we are up to the challenge. He will retire in pieces. We discovered that Mutasa was manipulating party programmes such as the Zim-Asset to aid his political mileage.”
Cde Kasukuwere said Cde Mnangagwa was the rightful person for the post of Vice President.
He said candidates interested in contesting in the parliamentary seats left vacant by Cde Mnangagwa and former Vice President Joice Mujuru could start submitting their CVs.
The new Constitution stipulates that by virtue of being appointed to the post of Vice President one losses one’s parliamentary seat, which left Cde Mnangagwa’s Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe Constituency vacant as well as Cde Mujuru’s Mt Darwin West.
President Mugabe has since proclaimed March 27 as the date for the by-elections, with the nomination court sitting on January 29 at the Magistrates Court, Main Street, Bindura and the Magistrates Court, Main Street, Gweru to received papers of interested candidates.
Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi yesterday said Cde Mutasa should be expelled from the party.
He said Cde Mutasa should apologise to the youths for the chaotic manner in which the Youth League elections were handled last August.
“We, therefore, view Mr DNE Mutasa and his cabal as unrepentant people in the party who have no respect for our President, Cde RG Mugabe and the party constitution,” he said.
“In his case, Mr Mutasa has no place in Zanu-PF and should be expelled from the party for his divisive and insisting utterances against the party and its leadership.”
Demo against Mutasa
January 16, 2015
Farirai Machivenyika
Hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters here yesterday demonstrated against their representative in the National Assembly Cde Didymus Mutasa, calling for his expulsion from the party for various indiscretions. The supporters demonstrated in the constituency with placards denouncing Cde Mutasa’s misdemeanours.
Some of the placards read, “Didymus Mutasa is corrupt”, Didymus Mutasa imposed himself on Headlands,” “Didymus Mutasa is a traitor”, “Didymus Mutasa imhondi” and “Didymus Mutasa must be expelled from Zanu-PF”.
Member of the Manicaland provincial executive Cde Christopher Chingoshe presented a petition to be forwarded to the Politburo on behalf of the constituency.
“All the eight wards and 24 party districts signed the petition and our grievances against Cde Mutasa,” he said.
In the petition, Headlands constituency called for Cde Mutasa’s expulsion from the party and that he be recalled from Parliament.
The constituency also accused Cde Mutasa of confusing party structures by imposing leaders and asked for an audit across all the structures in the province.
“Cde Mutasa also interfered with traditional leadership,” Cde Chingoshe said while reading out the petition. “As a constituency, we also want an audit of all farms because Cde Mutasa was allocating farms to his friends, relatives, girlfriends and protected whites.”
Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa addressed the crowd and told them of the Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee’s decision to recommend to the Politburo for Cde Mutasa’s expulsion.
He said Cde Mutasa had denigrated the party, its leadership and structures.
Cde Oppah Muchinguri, who is the Zanu-PF secretary for Transport and Welfare said Cde Mutasa had grown big headed.
“He has forgotten that just like fish derives its power from water his power came from the people and they rejected him,” she said.
“All the grievances you have made in the petition we knew them already, so we will take them up to the Politburo.”
Cde Muchinguri said Cde Mutasa’s letter had brought the party into disrepute so he was supposed to be expelled.
“Even those who still follow Cde Mutasa will meet the same fate he has met,” she said.
“We want all those who followed him to come forward and confess and they will be forgiven. There should be unity in the party and we should go all out and bring all those that had left the party.”
Cde Muchinguri said that a restructuring of the party’s structures would be carried out soon and urged the supporters to choose leaders dedicated to the party and its ideals. She said the land issue would be addressed urgently, with a meeting of the provincial leadership scheduled for tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment