Zim PF demotes Makova

Itai Muzondo

Masvingo – The Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) Masvingo executive has stripped Retired Colonel Claudius Makova of his chairmanship position and replaced him with Dr William Zivenge, a surprise move that is likely to jolt some party members. 

The move came at a time when speculation is rife that there is intense and sometimes heated jostling for influential positions ahead of the party’s national congress.

Provincial party spokesperson, Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi confirmed the development and said Makova had hinted on quitting politics, leaving the party with no option but to look for committed person to fill the top post.

“Yes, that is one of our latest moves and there was no back-biting on Makova as unconstructive people may put it across. We have since replaced Makova with Zivenge. The move came after Makova himself hinted that he is no longer energetic and wished to quit active politics because of age,” said Mbudzi who avoided further questions.

TellZim News is however reliably informed that Makova was caught by surprise when a meeting that was meant to discuss recruitment of members and issuing of party cards turned into a war against him.

“We heard of the planned ouster as we arrived at the venue. We warned Makova and he thought he would handle the situation but because it was a well-planned move, he failed. His sympathizers tried to back the old man but they were outnumbered. We are of the belief that Dzikamai Mavhaire is the chief architect of this entire fracas,” said an insider.

“The major problem causing all these misunderstandings is the fact that the party is largely constituted by political prodigals; people who have occupied influential positions before and are eyeing the same positions by teaming up against each other. You will discover that by the time we reach 2018, most people would have quit being party members simply because what they hoped for would not have materialised,” the source said.

Lately, ritics have said the party is failing to live up to the euphoria that characterised its official launch when people expected a large-scale defection of disgruntled Zanu-PF members.news