By Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – Following the recommendations from Zaka District for the removal of Zaka South MP and Zaka District Coordinating Committee chair Clemence Chiduwa as district party chair, his wife is facing the same predicament from councilors who are calling for her ouster from her position as Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Chairperson.
As calls for Chiduwa’s ouster snowballed, councilors turned their sight on Fungayi Maregedze, accusing her of protecting Zivanai Zvada, who allegedly undermined the president by forwarding a ‘Mnangagwa must go’ post on a WhatsApp group.
In a letter seen by TellZim News, the local authority Zanu PF Chief Whip Livison Makwanye wrote to the party’s provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa recommending the ouster of Maregedze and Zivanai Zvada.
Contacted for comment Mavhenyengwa said he was yet to receive the letter, was in a meeting and would call back.
Makwanye’s letter to Mavhenyengwa, dated April 12, was in response to Zaka RDC Vice Chair Svinurai Chivore who had written to him raising concerns about the chair’s actions especially on protecting another councilor Zivanai Zvada accused of undermining the President.
“I received a letter of complaint from councilor S.D Chivore, of Zaka ward 1. I strongly associate myself with the concerns raised in that letter. In my capacity as Chief Whip, I do hereby bring to your attention the said concerns for your consideration,” reads part of the letter.
The letter goes on to recommend Zvada’s recall saying the people in ward 24 were no longer confident in Zvada serving the interests of the party and the President’s vision.
“I also want to take this opportunity to recommend the recall of Councillor Zivanai Zvada of ward 24. I am aware that this matter is already before the courts of law, however, in the interests of the Zanu PF party, it is good if he is relieved of his duties,” reads part of the letter.
Ironically, Chivore’s letter to Makwanye, who then backed him with a letter to Mavhenyengwa, might just seal Maregedze’s fate. With both Chiduwas under fire and Zvada facing recall, their future in the council looks increasingly uncertain.
Already reeling from tumults within the party ranks and facing mounting criticism at council the two’s fate as DCC chair and Council Chair hang in the balance.
Maregedze’s position was reportedly secured through Chiduwa’s influence as DCC chair and allegedly buying councilors to vote for her, but the arrangement seems to be backfiring.
