By Own Correspondent
BINDURA – The ruling Zanu PF party is in sixes and sevens over its Youth League national political commissar Tsungi Makumbe who is fast becoming a liability following reports of violence both inside and outside the party which is tarnishing the image of the revolutionary party ahead of the much hyped peaceful election slated this August.
Makumbe who is at the centre of controversy following reports of blocking a motor-cade belonging to Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa when he was on his way to address a rally in Bindura is also under fire by the ruling party leadership over an election scandal in which he allegedly rigged polls in the just ended controversial internal elections further putting the name of the party into disrepute.
Addressing the media on Thursday following the meeting at the party headquarters, Zanu PF spokesperson Cde Chris Mutsvangwa said President Mnangagwa spoke strongly against violence. “If there were instances of violence in any particular constituency or ward, the President took a very strong hard line. He is on record saying no to violence and he was very clear that charity begins at home. And if there were instances of violence, which were carried out by either of the candidates or both candidates in a particular constituency, one stood to be disqualified if the information was available, and if the violence was mutual then there will be re-runs or they will be disqualifications,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
Inside sources have told this publication that the party is worried over the ‘uncalculated and unstrategic’ violent attacks being organised by Makumbe who is also facing disqualification from the primaries after overwhelming admissible evidence of rigging was recently presented before politburo.
“ The party is indeed faced with a challenge in reigning into order Cde Makumbe the youth PC, we feel he is fast becoming a liability due to the many arising issues of violence and unruly behaviour which might cost the image of the party ahead of the general elections,” revealed a high placed source in the Commissariat.
“ Another factor exacerbating the situation is that Tsungi has been extremely abusing his association with the powerful top figures like the party’s national chair Cde Oppah Muchinguri, further he has been heavily name dropping the name of the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa to which he is also a member of the Negomo clan, he has thus been parading himself as ‘untouchable’, all these factors are further compromising the image of the party as Makumbe is becoming a serious liability,” added the source.
According to unconfirmed reports the party is considering a disqualification of Makumbe from the primary election to pave way for a run in Mazowe North where another candidate Tafadzwa Musarara withdrew citing serious rigging whilst the incumbent MP Campion Mugweni has since lodged a complain with the Provincial Election Directorate which is in possession of overwhelming evidence of Makumbe rigging polls.
“The provincial election directorate has already recommended a re-run in Mazowe North however awaiting final decision from the PB which failed to exhaust complains on Thursday and is expected to reconvene again on Monday, however the special tribunal that set recently is reported to have recommended the disqualification of Makumbe from the primaries as overwhelming evidence and exhibit of rigging are available.
“ He is currently fuming over the decision by the special tribunal which he has vowed to defeat using his power as the youth commissar as well as his association to the powers that he enjoys support from the top,” further added an official from the province.
Ever since his ascension to the highest office Makumbe has been underfire for being the worst commissar who is failing to fit in the shoes of the calibre of Godfrey Tsenengamu and Kudzai Chipanga.
“Criticism has remained rife against his lack of capacity to lead the youth, besides his violent nature the comrade has no proper academic qualification nor roots that are associated with the Zanu PF ideology, he is a weaker link in the national structures of the party, he has been making unsanctioned violent attacks on members of the CCC which are backfiring and tainting the image of the ruling party which needs 5 million votes and a clean win against the opposition, he is a true liability,”said a source close to the development.
