HARARE-THE Zanu PF politburo has expelled seven former ministers for allegedly working with ousted with Vice President Joice Mujuru and suspended 13 other officials and party members for five years.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo told a press conference in Harare Thursday that those expelled include former ministers Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Olivia Muchena and Ray Kaukonde as well as David Butau, Claudius Makova and Kudakwashe Gopo.
The politburo also decided to suspend former transport minister Nicholas Goche as well as Amos Midzi, Tendai Savanhu, Jaison Machaya, Kalisto Gwanetsa, Noah Mangondo among others for five years.
The expulsion of Butai, Bhasikiti and Kaukonde means there will be three by-elections in the near future.
“The politburo resolved to expel the Cdes for fanning factionalism, causing division in the party and acting in a way that is contrary to the party principles,” said Khaya Moyo.
He added: “All these people who have been suspended remain ordinary party card-carrying members, including those who are MPs. They remain ordinary card-carrying members.
“We must not think that those who have been suspended are no longer members of the party. They are just not allowed to hold positions within the period of suspensions.”
The expulsions add to the growing list of senior party members who have been kicked out for allegedly working with Mujuru in a bid to remove President Robert Mugabe from office illegally.
The former vice president has been linked to the formation of a new political party by – the People First.
Meanwhile, Khaya Moyo said the politburo also endorsed Terence Mukupe as the party’s candidate for Harare East and directed that his rival, Mavis Gumbo, immediately withdraws from the race.
Moyo went on to say that Chiratidzo Mabuwa, the deputy minister for industry has been suspended for three years while ex-Transport deputy minister, Petronela Kangonye, Beata Nyamupinga, Paddy Zhanda, Mirriam Chikukwa have been absolved of any doing or alleged links to the Mujuru camp.
