HARARE, Feb 4 (NewsDay Live) - The Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial executive is seeking to oust firebrand war veteran and central committee member, Blessed Runesu Geza and called his attacks on the party leader, President Mnangagwa ‘treasonous.’
Geza is fronting a group of war veterans that has in recent weeks ratcheted attacks on the leadership of Mnangagwa for alleged constitutional violations and failing to rein in corruption, and wants him to step down immediately.
According to a report in the State-owned Herald newspaper, the provincial leadership led by Zanu PF politburo member and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, recommended that the party’s national disciplinary committee expel Geza following a meeting held Monday in Zvimba East constituency.
“The attack on President Mnangagwa by Cde Geza shows that he is not well versed with the party's constitution which calls for members to respect their leaders,” Ziyambi is quoted as saying.
"We cannot fold our hands and let Cde Geza go haywire. If he wanted to denounce the President, he should have waited for the party's Congress slated for 2027, where any member is allowed to challenge the sitting First Secretary and President as we elect a new leader and presidential candidate."
Mashonaland West provincial chairman Mary Mliswa-Chikoka claimed that the province’s leadership was behind Mnangagwa and called Geza's utterances ‘treasonous.’
Geza has been unrelenting in his attacks on Mnangagwa and at the weekend apologised for supporting the 2017 coup that ended the reign of the long-time ruler, the late Robert Mugabe, and ushered Mnangagwa into office.
“We gave you Mnangagwa with the hope that he would lead our country toward recovery, uphold the constitution, and restore hope to the people. But as soon as he tasted power, he escalated corruption, abandoned the people, and remembered only his family," he told HSTV, and Alpha Media Holdings-run digital broadcaster at the weekend.
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"We fought for a Zimbabwe where everyone would have a seat at the table, not for a few thieves cloaking themselves in robes of power. It is unacceptable for a small clique to ruin the legacy of the liberation struggle."
"I wish to apologize for being one of the people who worked hard to oust the late Robert Mugabe to replace him with Mnangagwa. With hindsight now I regret this…It is us who gave you Mnangagwa, we put you (sic) in State House with the hope that he would set our country on a path for recovery, respect the constitution, and give the people hope. As soon as he had the taste of power, he escalated corruption, forgot the people and remembered only his family.”
