The Sunday News
Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
ZANU-PF Midlands Province has suspended Kwekwe Central Member of Parliament Cde Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo and Zvipozvomweya Apostolic Church founder and leader Archbishop Kandros Mugabe over among other allegations fanning factionalism, holding unsanctioned meetings and undermining the authority of senior party members.“In accordance with article 3, section 18, subsections (1), (2) and (5) of the Zanu-PF constitution you are hereby charged with conducting illegal and unsanctioned meetings, chairing parallel party structures, leading rowdy youths who were drunk and disorderly, disrupting a constitutionally gathered meeting, engaging in violence, inciting violence and brutally attacking party members and making derogatory and defamatory statements against members,” reads part of Cde Matambanadzo’s suspension letter.
Cde Matambanadzo assaulted a fellow Member of Parliament, Cde Owen “Mudha” Ncube at Amaveni shopping centre in Kwekwe in July last year.
Cde Matambanadzo, who was in the company of his bodyguard, Beden Mawire (26), and an unidentified accomplice, assaulted Cde Ncube with fists and he also head-butted him.
The Gokwe-Kana legislator sustained a swollen left eye due to the assault.
Cde Ncube went to Amaveni Police Station where he reported the assault leading to Cde Matambanadzo’s arrest.
Cde Matambanadzo also reported Cde Ncube for criminal insult.
Meanwhile, the province is pushing for the suspension of four legislators, former chairman Cde Jason Machaya and Cdes Francis Nhema, Flora Buka and Dorothy Mhangami over allegations of fanning factionalism and holding unsanctioned party meetings.
Impeccable sources told Sunday News that the suspension and possible expulsion of some of the implicated party members were some of the issues discussed during the provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meeting held last week.
The source revealed that Cdes Nhema, Buka and Machaya were facing possible expulsion if the Politburo and the commissariat uphold the province’s decision.
“All these four former senior party members are facing the boot. It was said during the PCC meeting held on Thursday last week,” said a member of the provincial executive who declined to be named.
Acting Midlands Zanu-PF chairman Cde Kizito Chivamba said the province was still waiting for letters confirming any disciplinary action taken against the four party members.
“Following the vote of no confidence passed on some members of the party, we are waiting for letters confirming the action taken against those members. One can be suspended, expelled, fined or reprimanded according to our constitution. Sunday News ngaisafona nekuti isu tisu tokufonerai kana pane zvinenge zvaitika and Sunday News ibepa redu w tichakuudzai kana pane zvaitika (we will let you know of any latest developments, don’t call us we will call you),” he said.
Cde Machaya declined comment saying they were only rumours spreading.
“I am not aware that the committee is recommending my expulsion.
“I am waiting for communication from them but I have heard the rumours and as to why they are planning to suspend me I do not know the reasons.
“The bureau of policy has not sent me a letter yet to inform me so I am waiting for that letter. I cannot comment on that because I do not know anything,” he said.
Cde Nhema denied being suspended or expelled from the party.
“I do not know of such stories and I have no idea of what you are saying so call the chairperson himself and he will tell you what you need to know,” said Cde Nhema.
