Itai Muzondo
CHIREDZI – As the Masvingo Zanu-PF factional battles continue raging, 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) who are believed to be supporting Generation 40 (G40) pleaded with President Robert Mugabe to expel provincial affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa and her counterpart in the Psychomotor Ministry, Josaya Hungwe, over the weekend.
A dossier presented to the President ahead of an explosive meeting in Chiredzi last Saturday recommended the expulsion of Hungwe and Mahofa, who are being accused of fronting Team Lacoste faction in the province, which is believed to support Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Involved in drafting the document were 20 out of the Province’s 26 MPs: Daniel Shumba, Jeppy Jaboon, Kalisto Gwanetsa, Paul Chimedza, Tongai Muzenda, Denford Masiya, Paradzai Chakona, Darlington Chiwa, Robson Mavhenyengwa, Kennedy Matimba, Walter Mzembi, Joseph Moyo, Ephraim Gwanongodza, Davis Marapira, Mathias Tongofa, Vincent Mawere, Angeline Chipato, Mafios Utete, Robert Mukwena and Samson Mukanduri.
“As Members of Parliament who were democratically elected by the people of Masvingo Province, we recommend the following to His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, Cde R. G. Mugabe;
“There is need to immediately reassign or remove the current Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the interest of the Party and government and replace her with a member who is loyal and obedient to His Excellency, the President and First Secretary,” reads part of the paper.
The MPs also asked Mugabe to appoint leadership which will “ensure and assure” a Zanu-PF clean sweep in the province’s 26 constituencies in the 2018 elections.
“The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Shuvai Ben Mahofa, and Cde Hungwe, who are Presidential appointees, are behind the current wave of political instability in the province. It is therefore imperative that His Excellency, the President, takes steps to nip this problem in the bud as soon as possible,” the document reads.
The paper also requested Mugabe to lift the suspension of MPs who have shown “loyalty” to the President in the face of “false” allegations being leveled against them.
“Members of Parliament and other former Provincial members who were suspended and still serving their suspension who have shown loyalty to His Excellency, the President and First Secretary, Cde. R. G. Mugabe, should have their suspensions lifted to allow them to freely carry out their mandates as Members of Parliament, while those in parliament help in mobilising for the party in view of the impending 2018 harmonised elections,” the document reads.
The MPs also called for the immediate halt of all Team Lacoste activities in the province.
“The on-going land redistribution should be stopped and offer letters should be immediately withdrawn to allow wider consultations with traditional leaders (chiefs) and other stakeholders.
“The current tour of provinces by War Veterans, ZILIWACO and ZIPEDRA members are causing chaos and political instability and therefore should be stopped,” the document reads.politics
—
