Zanu (PF) Mash West Division Saga Deepens

Party sources claim Khaya-Moyo indicated that he will not accept provincial leadership being led by Hurungwe Senator Reuben Marumahoko to attend the conference that starts on Wednesday.

Last week the province postponed the elections citing the burial of former political commissar Philip Muguti.

“Khaya-Moyo is bitter that elections were not held. As party national chairman he want to have election results. He indicated thatthe province may not be allowed to attend elections although this is unlikely as it will expose widening divisions within President Robert Mugabe’s home province,” a reliable source told Radio VOP.

“Delegates attending the conference do not know their leadership as Marumahoko has imposed himself to stay without proper elections,’’ said another party insider who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation.

Meanwhile Khaya- Moyo and Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa stand accused of supporting expelled chairman John Mafa whom they wanted to endorse them as vice president hopefuls in the post Mugabe era, sources said.

“Initially they were banking on Philip Chiyangwa but when he was not allowed to contest, they turned to supporting Mafa…”

The business tycoon Chiyangwa was readmitted into the party following his espionage charges but President Mugabe blocked him to contest any position.

Mafa is said to be linked to Emmerson Mnangagwa faction that is vying for the presidential position though in Mashonaland West the Ignatius Chombo led faction is against Mafa’s return to lead the province.

Chombo’s faction is in favour of Marumahoko who is acting provincial chairman and is aligned to the Joice Mujuru faction.

Mutasa laughed off the allegations saying he is national leader who cannot support any faction.

“Zanu (PF) is united under President Mugabe and am a national leader who cannot be seen supporting individuals at provincial level,’’ he said in a telephone interview.

Radio VOP was unable to get hold of Khaya-Moyo who is busy with the party’s conference.

Chombo said: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

Meanwhile Bulawayo came to a standstill on Wednesday as delegates were arriving for the conference expected to be attended by over 6000 party delegates.

Heavily armed police are on 24 hour patrols in the city with the roads leading to ZITF, venue of the conference closed.

On Tuesday evening Radio VOP witnessed a group of youths packed in a Nissan Hardbody truck inscribed Zanu (PF) Matebeleland North province insulting and harassing workers at a fuel garage along 3rd Avenue accusing them of being arrogant MDC-T supporters who were slow in serving them.

“The situation in this city is now tense people are being harassed every minute by police and Zanu (PF) youths for no apparent reasons. We wish this Zanu (PF) conference could now end. Bulawayo is usually a peaceful city and we don’t want this…” said Luke Mabhande a newspaper vendor.

A Commuter omnibus driver Denver Lunga also said : “Several road blocks have been mounted at all roads leading into the city centre from high density suburbs like Mpopoma,Pelandaba,Luveve,