Rugeje (in black cap) and Chadzamira (green cap) at a ruling party meeting in Bikita earlier this year
Upenyu
Chaota
Chaota
Zanu PF national secretary for the commissariat,
Engelbert Rugeje has kept at bay those harbouring ambitions to remove Masvingo
provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira, saying the new Minister of State for
Masvingo Provincial Affairs will retain his influential party post.
Engelbert Rugeje has kept at bay those harbouring ambitions to remove Masvingo
provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira, saying the new Minister of State for
Masvingo Provincial Affairs will retain his influential party post.
When Chadzamira was appointed minister, some bigwigs
started to position themselves to take over the provincial chairperson post,
claiming Chadzamira could not simultaneously hold both posts as that would make
him ‘dangerously too-powerful’.
started to position themselves to take over the provincial chairperson post,
claiming Chadzamira could not simultaneously hold both posts as that would make
him ‘dangerously too-powerful’.
Speaking at a Zanu PF inter-district conference at
Masvingo Polytechnic on Tuesday, Rugeje warned those eyeing Chadzamira’s job to
back off.
Masvingo Polytechnic on Tuesday, Rugeje warned those eyeing Chadzamira’s job to
back off.
“We hear there are people who have been campaigning to
replace Chadzamira but we say it is not yet the time for that. Restructuring
will be done next year and the commissariat will give you the date.
replace Chadzamira but we say it is not yet the time for that. Restructuring
will be done next year and the commissariat will give you the date.
“Right now is the time to work and unite the party not
to create divisions. Let us work to bring more people to the party and not
chase people out. Labelling people along factional lines will not help anyone
but will destroy the party,” said Rugeje.
to create divisions. Let us work to bring more people to the party and not
chase people out. Labelling people along factional lines will not help anyone
but will destroy the party,” said Rugeje.
Some party members, however, have been whispering
accusations against Rugeje himself, alleging he was fronting a secret bid to
make Bikita West legislator Elias Musakwa the new provincial chairperson.
accusations against Rugeje himself, alleging he was fronting a secret bid to
make Bikita West legislator Elias Musakwa the new provincial chairperson.
At the same event, Chadzamira also got a seal of
approval from Zanu PF national chairperson and Defence minister Oppah
Muchinguri who praised Chadzamira as a dedicated party cadre.
approval from Zanu PF national chairperson and Defence minister Oppah
Muchinguri who praised Chadzamira as a dedicated party cadre.
“Chadzamira has seen it all and has won elections
twice. This shows that the man is loyal and has the people at heart,” said
Muchinguri.
twice. This shows that the man is loyal and has the people at heart,” said
Muchinguri.
The provincial youth league also resolved that they
would want Chadzamira to remain provincial chairperson, pledging to defend him
‘with our blood’.
would want Chadzamira to remain provincial chairperson, pledging to defend him
‘with our blood’.
“As the youth league, we have resolved that Chadzamira
should remain our chairperson and we rally behind him and we will defend him
with our blood.
should remain our chairperson and we rally behind him and we will defend him
with our blood.
“Chadzamira has proven to be loyal to the President
and he defended him during the fiercest fights last year when the G40 faction
vilified him.
and he defended him during the fiercest fights last year when the G40 faction
vilified him.
“He is a tried and tested leader and he did not waver
when heavy punches were thrown his way. He led us through the trials and
tribulations and we believe in his leadership,” said provincial youth league
chairperson Brian Munyoro.
when heavy punches were thrown his way. He led us through the trials and
tribulations and we believe in his leadership,” said provincial youth league
chairperson Brian Munyoro.
