ZANU PF factional politics in the Midlands Province degenerated into a fistfight last weekend, with senior officials exchanging blows in public.
Preparations for the party’s congress next year, which are preceded by restructuring and elections from the grassroots level, have been problematic and marred with intimidation in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home province.
A faction aligned to State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube and incumbent chairman Daniel Mackenzie Ncube are battling for party leadership. Both factions claim loyalty to Mnangagwa.
ZANU PF Gweru district secretary for administration Slemani Kwidini was allegedly “heavily assaulted” by central committee member Wellington Magura at a restaurant in the Midlands capital on Saturday.
Kwidini is rallying behind Mudha Ncube while Magura is in the faction backing Mackenzie Ncube.
The matter has since been reported at Gweru Central Police station under CR number 88/10/2021 although none of the people involved are yet to appear in court.
Contacted for comment by The NewsHawks, Kwidini confirmed reporting the alleged assault at Gweru Central Police station.
Magura did not respond to questions sent to him via WhatsApp, although the messages had been delivered to his mobile number.
Mackenzie Ncube also did not respond to enquiries sent to him over the matter.
Milan directors, where the scuffle reportedly took place, banned for three months those involved in the brawl at the restaurant.
A letter signed by two Milan directors, one Richard Murombedzi and Taleeb Mohamed and addressed to Kwidini reads in part:
This has left us with no option but to inform you as an individual and your accomplices Mr Dominic and Mr Jassi.
We do not condone such behaviour totally and your friends as such are not welcome on these premises for a period of three months.
We feel the actions of this group have self-interests totally against the HE (Mnangagwa) mantra of Vision 2030, which we support.
According to party officials, Mackenzie Ncube has the backing of the minister in the President’s office Joram Gumbo while Mudha Ncube’s allies include prominent figures like Local Government minister July Moyo.