Zanu PF in Manicaland Province is facing serious internal fights, following viral videos showing youths disrupting a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) meeting.
Publicly, blame has been placed on the provincial chairperson, Tawanda Mukodza. However, party insiders say Mukodza is being targeted by a group of individuals pushing to remove him from his position for their own political interests.
Sources say the chaos is part of a wider plan led by a powerful figure in the province, described as a self-styled “godfather,” who is using some provincial members to fight Mukodza by proxy.
Washington Ziwiwi, the Mutasa District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson, is alleged to be behind a fake news campaign against Mukodza. Ziwiwi reportedly spread claims that Mukodza misused money from businessman Wicknell Chivhayo and Dr Paul Tungwarara that was meant for party activities. However, sources say Mukodza never received any money from Tungwarara, and the funds from Chivhayo were strictly for party programmes.
Insiders also point out that several other party officials, including DCC chairpersons and Members of Parliament who received Presidential Empowerment Funds, are not being questioned. Ziwiwi himself is said to be a beneficiary of the same fund but has not accounted for how the money was used.
The Secretary for Administration, Samson Matema, who is also the MP for Buhera Central, is another official named by sources. Matema allegedly received US$25,000 from the Presidential Empowerment Fund and an additional US$5,000 from Mukodza to drill a community borehole. He is also accused of failing to fully account for the funds.
Sources say Mukodza is being unfairly singled out. They explain that he ended the disrupted PEC meeting after a party member allegedly insulted a war veteran a move that was supported by both the War Veterans and Women’s Leagues.
It is further alleged that Mukodza’s rivals hired youths linked to Clyde Jani to cause chaos at the meeting. Jani is said to have a history of violence and previous arrests.
Party insiders warn that the infighting is damaging Zanu PF’s efforts to strengthen its support in Manicaland. The party is expected to investigate the violence, and those found responsible for the disruptions are likely to face disciplinary action.
