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Kudakwashe Bhasikiti

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
ZANU-PF members in Masvingo want the underfire Minister of State for Masvingo Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti dropped from the list of those to represent the province in the Central Committee because of his alleged involvement in a bid to topple President Mugabe.

The members, who have petitioned the provincial executive to drop Cde Bhasikiti, said he could not be a member of the Central Committee because of the serious allegations he was facing. The Politburo member, who was told that he was in a “wrong basket” by President Mugabe before the start of last Saturday’s Politburo meeting, won Central Committee elections in Mwenezi.

Masvingo acting provincial chairman Paradzai Chakona confirmed receiving a petition from Mwenezi District against Cde Bhasikiti. He said the province endorsed the members’ reservations on the election of Cde Bhasikiti to the Central Committee and had included that in a report on the outcome of the elections that was sent to the Politburo.

“We stated our position regarding members who were found on the wrong side. The issue of Cde Bhasikiti is known, you have seen members demonstrating against him and Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire,” he said.

Cde Mavhaire lost the elections to Masvingo Urban House of Assembly Member Dr Daniel Shumba who beat him by 161 to 49 votes.

Mwenezi district chairman Cde Caution Nkomo said Cde Bhasikiti’s election had raised a lot of eyebrows and members were appealing to the provincial leadership to drop him.

“The election of Bhasikiti raises a lot of ‘stink’ and members here are not happy. From the time Cde Bhasikiti was accused of fanning factionalism and plotting against the President, his popularity here has plunged and members are not happy to see him getting a Central Committee post. We have since raised our concern with the provincial leadership,” said Cde Tembo.

Ward Councillor and district committee member Cde Bhukucha Tembo echoed the same sentiments.

“People are not happy with the election of Cde Bhasikiti. He is our Member of the House of Assembly but following reports that he was planning to topple the President, we feel he cannot represent us in the Central Committee,” said Cde Bhukucha.