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First lady Cde Grace Mugabe

Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
FOUR Zanu-PF provincial youth chairpersons yesterday distanced themselves from a shadowy group calling itself the Save Zanu-PF Campaign that insulted party leadership including First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe at a press conference in Harare last month.

In unsolicited interviews, the chairpersons from Cde Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North), Cde Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Cde Khumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo) and Edmore Samambwa from Midlands said they were not linked to the organisation that also insulted Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

The declarations by the youth leaders came after President Robert Mugabe at the weekend castigated attacks on the party leadership including the First Lady by some “misguided Zanu-PF youths” saying such lack of discipline would not be tolerated in the party.

Speaking at his 92nd birthday celebrations in Masvingo last Saturday, President Mugabe said the Youth League would be supported in censuring those found on the wrong who should be kicked out of the party.

Zanu-PF secretary for youth affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi on Tuesday told The Chronicle that a committee had been set up to deal with the said youths in a process that could see the expulsion of some youth leaders from the party.

The Save Zanu-PF Campaign, fronted by suspended provincial chairpersons from Harare, Godwin Gomwe, Mashonaland Central, Godfrey Tsenengamu and Mashonaland West, Vengai Musengi, claimed that the four chairpersons, who were not at the press conference, were part of their organisation and cause.

However, Cde Nkomo said: “I would like to distance myself from a Press conference addressed by the so called Save Zanu-PF Campaign. I don’t know what they stand for and I was really shocked that my name has been linked to that grouping.

“I was in Esigodini, more than 500 kilometres from Harare, when that press conference was held.”

Cde Nkomo said all along he has been working towards mobilising resources for the recently held 21st February Movement celebrations.

“Besides, I know the laid down channels to air grievances within the party. I also want to declare that the entire province is behind the leadership of President Mugabe and we’re one of the most peaceful structures in the country.”

Cde Mpofu also said that he was not part of the organisation adding that he was not even aware of their structure.

“As a patriotic party member, I’m well aware of channels to use when we have grievances. I understand that someone went there purporting to be acting on my behalf but I had no input in this animal called Save Zanu-PF Campaign and the organisation of that press conference. I know nothing about it,” he said.

Cde Mpofu said they would never go against anyone appointed by President Mugabe either in the party or the government.

Cde Samambwa said: “While we know the people who organised that press conference as those members who were suspended for various intransigencies, we want to make it known that we’ve no association with that group.

“As a province, we’re also not part of members who insult leaders on social media networks. We’re a disciplined youth who follow the leadership of President Mugabe.”

Cde Nyoni, who also called in separately, echoed his colleagues’ sentiments saying: “I want to categorically state that I was, I’m not and will never be party to an organisation that calls itself Save Zanu-PF Campaign. I’m a loyal and disciplined member of the party and would never take part in any activity that either puts the name of my party into disrepute or denigrates party leadership.”