ZANU PF Imposes Meeting Ban on Chiwenga Supporters in Masvingo

Two ZANU PF parliamentarians in Masvingo have been barred from party meetings, receiving prohibition orders for 21 days.

Chiredzi North MP Roy Bhila and Gutu East MP Benjamin Ganyiwa, seen as allies of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, face these restrictions.

The prohibition orders, as reported by TellZim News, are not expulsions but temporary measures until a disciplinary hearing.

Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe confirmed the actions against the MPs, emphasizing they relate to individual indiscipline, not factional disputes.

Chiwewe clarified that the orders aim to compel accused members to appear before a disciplinary committee to defend their actions.

Bhila faces three charges of violating the party constitution, with actions that include inciting the public and undermining government projects.

At an open discussion, Bhila allegedly used inflammatory language against Chiredzi Town Council’s expansion plans, stirring public dissent.

He’s also accused of personally attacking Mrs. Mabhiza and her husband, using derogatory terms in a public setting, which conflicts with party values.

The third charge against Bhila involves physical confrontations where his team allegedly assaulted fellow party members.

Bhila’s actions at a ward rally and an attack on a youth member further illustrate the charges laid against him by ZANU PF.

The prohibition order effectively removes Bhila from any party representation or office until the disciplinary committee concludes its review.

Despite these allegations, Bhila has pledged loyalty to ZANU PF and President Mnangagwa, even supporting the contentious 2030 slogan.

Previously, in November 2023, Bhila was dismissed from his role as Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, serving only three months.

The Masvingo branch of ZANU PF has recently decided to penalize opposition to the “2030 vanenge vachipo” slogan, punishing dissent.

This was evident when Bikita councillor Brighton Mushekwa faced verbal suspension for not chanting the same slogan.

The internal dynamics of ZANU PF in Masvingo reveal a complex interplay of loyalty, discipline, and political ambition.

These actions highlight the party’s strict enforcement of its constitution, aiming to maintain unity and control within its ranks.

The unfolding events in Masvingo could have broader implications for the party’s leadership and succession debates.

As the 2028 presidential transition looms, these disciplinary measures underscore the ongoing power struggles within ZANU PF.

The situation reflects the delicate balance between maintaining party discipline and navigating factional loyalties.

The future of Bhila and Ganyiwa within ZANU PF hangs in the balance, pending the outcome of their disciplinary hearings.

Their case is a microcosm of the larger political chess game being played within Zimbabwe’s ruling party.

The enforcement of these orders sends a strong message about the consequences of dissent or perceived disloyalty in ZANU PF.

As the party heads towards a critical juncture, these incidents could set precedents for how internal conflicts are managed.