President Emmerson Mnangagwa reportedly imposed Gutu West MP and Masvingo provincial youth chairman John Paradza as the ZANU PF Youth League deputy national chairperson.
Paradza was elected unchallenged at the just ended ZANU PF national youth conference.
Reports suggest that there was a push ahead of the conference to elect Mutare district coordinating committee secretary for youth affairs Danmore Mambondiyani to the post.
Paradza took over from Tendai Chirau, who has been acting youth secretary following the sacking of Gutu West MP Pupurai Togarepi.
A disgruntled ZANU PF youth league executive told The Standard that all provinces were whipped into supporting Paradza. aid the official:
All provinces were whipped into submission to support Paradza and he went uncontested in the elections.
There was some disgruntlement among the party leadership, but party leadership led by Mnangagwa wanted Paradza after Mnangagwa directed the party members to rally behind Paradza.
Mambondiyani wanted the deputy secretary for youth affairs position, but came third in his Manicaland province and could not compete for the top position despite spirited efforts to smuggle him to the top position.
The Standard also reported sources as saying that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will handpick his ally, deputy Sports minister Tino Machakaire as the substantive secretary for youth affairs.