Itai Muzondo
MASVINGO – Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) president, Joyce Mujuru has humbled factionalists who were reportedly fomenting divisional fights in the party’s Masvingo provincial structures, TellZim News can reveal.
Mujuru cleared the air on leadership controversies in her party’s provincial structures during the burial of the party’s provincial spokesperson, Retired Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi.
She reprimanded provincial mobiliser, Ernest Mudavanhu who had introduced William Zivenge as the party’s provincial chairperson instead of Retired Colonel Claudios Makova who is officially recognised as the chair.
Mujuru confirmed to TellZim News that Makova is the party’s provincial chairperson.
“There should be no confusion at all on who the ZimPF provincial chairperson is. This is our provincial chairperson,” said Mujuru pointing to Makova as they walked side by side.
As she addressed mourners, Mujuru castigated Mudavanhu’s ‘attempted coup’ on Makova saying he had used a wrong platform to address the issue.
“Pane kakukosora-kosora katirikunzwa kuno kuMasvingo asi tirikukadzokera. ZimPF, why are we fighting? What are we showing Zanu PF? What will people learn from us? Nothing!” said Mujuru to hordes of people who had come to give Mbudzi a hero’s send off at his rural home in Charumbira.
“Mbudzi actually wished us good, he wanted to build a better Zimbabwe. Why can’t we do the same? Ego must go. We must shun the behavior of just wanting to draw attention and work to bring change for the nation,” Mujuru added.
Mujuru told her political colleagues that they should not take advantage of her presence to stage their political battles.
“This is a funeral. Let’s not take advantage of this to fight our political battles. I am neither here to discuss political issues but to mourn our departed friend. Mbudzi himself wanted nothing but the truth and if he was here, he would have told nothing but the truth and so shall I when I get on ground to solve this mess. Mbudzi’s openness was good for the party. He was like Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, he doesn’t tolerate lies,” Mujuru said.
ZimPF Masvingo province had experienced some factional tussles in recent times, with a faction allegedly linked to Dzikamai Mavhaire reportedly routing for Zivenge to take over from Makova.