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Zanu PF Factionalism Ravages Masvingo Provincce


President Robert Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe
Factionalism is intensifying in the ruling Zanu PF party ahead of next year’s elective congress, crucial in the party’s succession battle.

The battle is pitting Vice President Joyce Mujuru and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The provincial Zanu PF executive in Masvingo has defied a politburo order to re-run regional elections which they claim were fraught with irregularities.

The Mujuru camp, which is running the province, is reportedly not willing to hold the polls again.

Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said Masvingo does not have a serious problem “in the sense that out of eight constituencies only one had a problem and that is Masvingo Central where Eddison Zvogbo Junior had been allocated a post of secretary for legal affairs and yet the position for Masvingo central was only for one post. They made a mistake.”

Gutu South lawmaker Shuvai Mahofa refuted claims that Zanu PF is being ravaged by factionalism in Masvingo province.

In a related development, political parties have welcomed Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s move Thursday to adjourn the second reading of the Electoral Amendment Bill in parliament until public consultations were made.

Mnangagwa was responding to a request by Southerton legislator Gift Chimanikire that the parliamentary portfolio committee on legal and parliamentary affairs should make consultations before the National Assembly passed the bill.

The MDC-T opposes the bill, saying some proposed changes were not incorporated in line with the new constitution.

The changes include issues surrounding voter education, voter registration, the use of voting slips, allowing prisoners to vote, and the involvement of the registrar general in the voting process.

Ellen Shiriyedenga, director of elections in the Welshman Ncube-led MDC, said the consultations should be fairly conducted to ensure all stakeholders participate.
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