MASVINGO – An elaborate plot to oust the current Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira is gathering momentum with five heavyweights already angling to replace him in party elections expected before year end, TellZim News can exclusively reveal.
Chadzamira, who was recently appointed Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and is Masvingo West Member of Parliament (MP), is being forced to relinquish the chairmanship amid reports that he now holds too many powerful posts in the province.
Five Zanu PF bigwigs said to be jostling to replace Chadzamira are Central Committee member Clemence Makwarimba, Bikita West MP Elias Musakwa, Former Zaka Central MP Paradzai Chakona, Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu and former Chiredzi South MP Ailes Baloyi.
Highly placed sources in Zanu PF said the contest was so intense that the province is heavily divided over who should take over from Chadzamira.
“The province is divided; there are mixed feelings but it seems Musakwa has an upper hand so far. The majority do not want anyone from Gutu to take over as chairman because they feel the district was over rewarded by being given all ministerial posts in the province. Makwarimba and Chakona also have quite a number of backers and they might spring a surprise,” said the source.
Efforts to get comment from Chadzamira were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered the whole day.
Zanu PF national political commissar Rtd Lt Gen Englebert Rugeje, however, tried to water down the whole issues saying there will not be any elections in the province.
“E-eh…there will be no election – here it from me,” said Rugeje.
However, Rugeje could neither confirm nor deny whether Chadzamira will remain the provincial chairperson.
Of the said front runners for the post, Baloyi is the current vice chairperson while Chakona was kicked out as acting chairperson during the height of factional wars three years ago.
Musakwa, at one point, was also accused of being a ‘Gamatox’, a faction which was aligned to former Vice President Joice Mujuru, but is now tipped favourite to take over from Chadzamira.
When contacted for comment, Makwarimba denied having interests in contesting for the position saying those throwing his name in the ring were ill-advised.
Chakona also denied being interested in the position, saying he had decided to concentrate on his businesses rather than politics.
“There was a PCC meeting which resolved that there will not be any structural changes to current set-up. I am currently in Harare doing my consultancy work and I am not at all interested in any political position,” said Chakona.
Musakwa was not picking his mobile phone by the time of going to press.politics
Plot to oust Chadzamira thickens
Ezra Chadzamira
…as jostle for Zanu PF Masvingo chairmanship begins
Brighton Chiseva
TellZim News is the leading news organization in the Southern region. It provides candid, balanced and timely news from the communities. Keeping it real. Committed to tell Zimbabwe.
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