Josiah Hungwe
Hungwe, who is now minister responsible for psycho-motor activities in education assumed the post of being the most senior Zanu (PF) member in Masvingo following the sacking of former Power and Energy development minister Dzikamai Mavhaire.
But in a two-page petition addressed to President Robert Mugabe’s office and copied to the Masvingo provincial executive the war veterans said they would never recognize Hungwe as their leader because he was a sell-out.
“We suffered during the liberation struggle and Hungwe was one of those who were suppressing us therefore it will be against our founding principles as former freedom fighters to regard him as our leader,” says the petition.
Charles Muchena, the provincial war veterans association chairman, dissociated himself from the petition. “It is a case of hating someone by a few individuals amongst us,” said Muchena. “We never at any one time discussed this issue and I am surprised why some people are talking as if it is an official petition.â€
Hungwe said he no-one could take the title from him as he was “crowned by Mugabeâ€. “I am a stakeholder and those who are pushing for my ouster are being sent by Mavhaire,” he said. “We expelled Mavhaire.â€
Mavhaire could not be reached for comment. Prior to Mavhaire’s sacking from the ruling Zanu (PF) party for being part of former vice President Joice Mujuru cabal the two were embroiled in a tug of war with both of them claiming to be the most senior member of the party in Masvingo province.
Hungwe served for a record 15 years as Masvingo governor. He is the current Mwenezi-Chivi senator.
Post published in: Featured