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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
ZANU-PF Politburo members from Bulawayo province have reprimanded the party’s national youth secretary Cde Pupurai Togarepi for jumping the gun after he declared that Bulawayo provincial youth chairperson Cde Khumbulani Mpofu, who is facing extortion charges, has no case to answer.

Cde Togarepi sprang to the defence of Cde Mpofu who suffered a vote of no confidence recently on the back of extortion charges levelled against him by party youths.

Cde Mpofu faces charges of extorting money from local companies while claiming to be fundraising for party activities.

Cde Togarepi was quoted in our sister paper The Sunday News as saying Cde Mpofu had no case to answer and his issue was resolved after a meeting he held with all the interested parties.

Yesterday, Politburo members who include Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, Joshua Malinga and Absolom Sikhosana expressed shock at Cde Togarepi’s statements and accused him of making ill-informed decisions.

They said Cde Togarepi was acting out of ignorance of Zanu PF’s rules and regulations.

The Bulawayo Politburo members said the party’s National Disciplinary Committee was handling Cde Mpofu’s case and Bulawayo province was still waiting for the outcome.

Cde Moyo said it was shocking that a senior party member could behave in the manner Cde Togarepi did.

“I’m alarmed by the statement from the youth leader. I believe when you’re working with other leaders, you must know the rules and regulations of the party. He acted out of sheer ignorance of the party’s rules,” said Cde Moyo.

She said the decision to clear Cde Mpofu of corruption charges must not be made by Cde Togarepi.

Cde Moyo said Cde Togarepi had expressed his opinion which was irrelevant.

“As far as we were informed, the matter is now being handled by the National Disciplinary Committee which will come up with a recommendation. The recommendation will cascade to Politburo members before it gets to the province,” she said.

Cde Moyo said Cde Togarepi must not abuse his position by overriding decisions made by provinces as it can cause unnecessary conflicts.

She said the extortion charges levelled against the Bulawayo youth chairperson were very serious.

“The party must deal with such issues. Extortion is a very serious crime. The party’s leadership doesn’t condone extortion,” Cde Moyo said.

Cde Malinga also lashed out at Cde Togarepi saying he was displaying his ignorance over the handling of party matters.

“He seems not to be aware of the party’s procedures. He displayed ignorance of the rules and regulations of the party. We are still waiting for the National Disciplinary Committee to deliberate on the issue,” he said.

Cde Malinga said corrupt officials should be dealt with regardless of their political ranks and justice must always prevail.

Another Politburo member, Cde Absolom Sikhosana, said pressing matters affecting the youths were being neglected due to the corruption allegations.

“Things have been halted. The party is grounded because the youths don’t have confidence in their leadership” said Cde Sikhosana.