There was chaos at a recent Zanu PF restructuring exercise in Banket after youths were angered by a response by a local councillor whom they had asked to help them get jobs.
NewZimbabwe reports that Youth league chairperson Steven Zidana charged at the district chairman, Never Hutepasi, who is also Ward 22 councillor, accusing him of behaving like opposition MDC.
The youths accused Hutepasi of being a thief and traitor on a mission to see the ruling party losing in the 2023 national elections.
Zidana threatened to physically assault Hutepasi after the latter had indicated that was not able to get jobs for the youths in a construction company carrying out the government’s emergency road rehabilitation programme in Banket.
Hutepasi told the meeting that the contractor had been engaged by the central government and not by the local council, therefore, since he was a councillor he could not influence recruitment processes. Added Hutepasi:
We cannot force a private player to employ anyone, but we can only make requests if they have vacancies.
Zidana then charged towards Hutepasi and started insulting him. Charged Zidana:
You are very stupid! How can you bring the MDC way of doing things in Zanu PF? Do you want the party to lose elections? I personally will not allow you to do it, you are also a thief.
Police officers arrived at the meeting and dispersed the gathering.
ZANU PF is currently carrying out its restructuring exercise that will see the party conducting district and provincial elections ahead of its annual congress to be held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province in October.
The impending internal polls have created serious divisions, infighting and factions within the governing party.
More: NewZimbabwe