Former Air Vice Marshal Muchena To Crack Whip In Bikita

Sources said Muchena’s first port of call was Masvingo’s troubled Bikita district where retired army colonel Claudius Makova and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono’s advisor, Munyaradzi Kereke, are fighting for the control of the party to such an extent that there are two Zanu (PF) PF offices operational at the sprawling Nyika growth point.

Makova has control of the old office-located at a filling station besides Masikati Bar-while Kereke’s operations are being run from another office at New Management shop in the growth point.

“Muchena is expected to come down here anytime this week and sit down with the two warring factions on behalf of the president. I cannot tell you the exact day, you will eventually know. He has been sent by Mugabe to reason out with Makova and Kereke and stop dividing the party in the district. He is expected to read the riot act,” a source said.
 
While Muchena could not be contacted for comment, Zanu (PF) provincial chairman Lovemore Matuke confirmed his visit, but denied it was to solve factionalism in the party.

“He is expected to have a tour of the province to get a better appreciation of Masvingo. He is not only coming to Bikita as you believe, but other districts as well. His visit was not spawned by your so called factionalism, which I do not see or feel,” Matuke said.

Factionalism has been the tradition in Masvingo even in the days of the late veteran politician Eddison Zvobgo and deceased late Vice President Simon Muzenda, who were commanding two different camps in Zanu (PF). The factionalism even spilled downwards and still exists and has become more fierce years after the two departed.