Zanu (PF) factions clash over control of local council

As job action by Zanu (PF) council workers in the MDC-led council entered its second week, Zanu (PF) big wigs John Nkomo, Solomon Mujuru, Hebert Murerwa, and Sydney Sekeramayi are reported to have held a secret meeting at a local hotel.

Ostensibly they were here to attend the annual provincial show. Sekeramayi was fingered as the person responsible for recruiting party thugs from farming areas to participate in the illegal strike.

The Zanu heavies came to town because the strike they engineered failed to remove MDC-T Mayor Farai Nyandoro and his council. Their agenda was to replace MDC-T councilors with a commission appointed by Ignatius Chombo, said a party insider.

Last week, Zanu (PF) Provincial Commissar Masvingo Province, Brigadier Hwarare addressed striking workers and denounced Zanu (PF) Senator for Marondera, Sydney Sekeramayi, Ignatius Chombo and Zanu (PF) Provincial Chairperson and former governor, Ray Kaukonde.

Hwarare said he was disappointed that people of Marondera failed to support Oppah Muchinguri the Mnangagwa factions candidate for the vice presidency who lost to Joyce Mujuru. The Mujuru faction was blamed for its incapability to fight MDC, said the source.

Hwarares speech attracted the Solomon Mujuru team into town. When the big Zanu sharks landed Hwarare disappeared into thin air, he added.

Hwarare denounced Chombo and colleagues, unaware that the ZFTU Secretary General, Leonard Danda, was Chombos informant.

Striking Zanu (PF) council workers have climbed down from their previous demand for payment of nine months outstanding salaries, to two months salary arrears, while arrangements would be made for the balance.

The latest demands remained unrealistic as council collects $300 000 revenue every month against $280 000 gobbled by wages and salaries. The illegal strike worsened matters as offices were closed making it impossible for rate payers to pay monthly bills. So, workers would not have salaries this month as we collected nothing from ratepayers, said the Town Clerk, Josiah Musuwo.