Fired war vets leader promises to speak out as Gumbo is suspended

Sibanda was yesterday expelled by the Zanu (PF) politburo while Rugare Gumbo, who has been the party secretary for information and publicity, was suspended for five years.

Both Sibanda and Gumbo have been linked to a powerful faction in the ruling party led by Joice Mujuru, who is President Robert Mugabe’s deputy but is under immense pressure to quit following a fierce campaign by the camp led by her rival, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The announcement was made by Simon Khaya Moyo, the national chairman, after a nine-hour politburo meeting at the Zanu (PF) headquarters in Harare.

It is not clear if Sibanda was subjected to a disciplinary process and when The Zimbabwean called him to find out, he laughingly said: “I am also watching this drama as it unfolds. I have decided to lie low but will definitely give a statement in the next few days.”

Gumbo has also said a similar thing, and is said to have walked out of yesterday’s politburo meeting.

Yesterday’s politburo meeting also upheld the suspension of four provincial chairpersons who belong to the Mujuru camp.

These are Amos Midzi (Harare), Killian Gwanetsa (Masvingo), Jason Machaya (Midlands) and Matabeleland South's Andrew Langa. Another key Mujuru ally, Ray Kaukonde, somehow survived the targeted list while the sixth provincial chair aligned to Mujuru,John Mvundura of Manicaland got a written reprimand.

A central committee member reported to be fighting from Mujuru’s camp, Enock Pourusingazi, also from Manicaland, was suspended for five years while another Mujuru ally who leads the Harare youth league, is under probe.

The move is seen as a purging coup by the Mnangagwa faction, which has received crucial support from Grace, Mugabe’s wife who openly called on Mujuru to go.

Observers see the latest developments as a sure indication that Mujuru will be pushed out, but it remains unclear how her camp will react.

Khaya Moyo, who is reportedly a Mujuru loyalist, said the decision to fire or suspend the party members was made by the disciplinary committee that Mnangagwa heads. He distanced himself from the decisions by emphasising that he was talk only as the party spokesperson.

With Moyo’s exception, the committee comprises Mnangagwa allies.

It was not clear if the committee was chosen on an ad hoc basis or if it is the long-standing disciplinary arm of the party.

Khaya Moyo did not specify the reasons why Gumbo and Sibanda were suspended or disciplined, but the latter has openly opposed the political elevation of the First Lady while Gumbo has been accused of fronting the Mujuru camp.

The Zimbabwean could not establish who attended the politburo meeting yesterday, amid speculation that members could have been informed selectively.