Supporters of President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party staged a sit-in protest at the party’s Manicaland headquarters in Mutare Monday demanding the immediate resignation of the provincial executive led by chairman, Mike Madiro.
The activists accuse Madiro's executive of imposing leaders in district committees in the Makoni and Zimunya-Marange areas.
They also say Madiro is using threats and fanning intra-party violence in the province. VOA was unable to reach Madiro for a comment.
The Mutare situation has played out in almost all provinces across the country where top ZANU-PF leaders are accused of imposing candidates to different positions, rather than allowing a free and fair selection process..
Election results in Makoni were nullified after the party’s secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, was also accused of undermining popular will.
The same allegations were raised in Gweru, Zvishavane, Bulawayo and parts of Mashonaland West.
Party spokesman, Rugare Gumbo told VOA's Jonga Kandemiiri that the ZANU-PF supreme decision-making body, the politburo, was yet to discuss the matter.
Policy and research director, Charles Mangongera of the MDC formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said ZANU-PF’s future is doomed if senior party leaders continue to impose candidates and muzzling people at the grassroots level.
