Highly placed Zanu (PF) sources told The Zimbabwean that Politburo members held a meeting here recently and gave the green light for Sibanda’s ascendency.
“There is a general feeling among our supporters that Dakamela’s executive has failed to turn around the fortunes of the party in the city. He is considered a weak leader and now the party wants someone militant like Sibanda to lead it,” said a Zanu (PF) source who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.
Senior Zanu (PF) officials such as the national chairperson, Simon Khaya Moyo, and politburo member Eunice Sandi were supporting Sibanda’s takeover, he added, and believe that his violent campaigns can translate into votes for the party.
Sibanda, whose liberation war credentials have been questioned, has turned upside down the lives of many villagers in Masvingo province.
Last week he threatened villagers in Tsholotsho with unspecified action if they failed to vote for Zanu (PF) come election time.
Another Zanu (PF) source said the roping in of Sibanda was likely to be resisted by Zanu (PF) moderates in the party who feel Dakamela is being victimised for condemning the party’s invasion of white-owned buildings in the city.
“Since his election Dakamela has been against violence. He has condemned publicly the current invasion of commercial buildings in the city and this has not gone down well with some structures of the party especially the youths and war veterans,” added the source.
Earlier this year Dakamela was suspended from the party for allegedly stealing meat donated for the party’s last year’s conference. He was acquitted of the charges and reinstated.
Post published in: News