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Makhosini Hlongwane

Clemence Manyukwe News Editor
SPORTS and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane yesterday found a live bullet in his hotel room and has since reported the matter to the police.

The minister found the bullet at Crowne Plaza Monomotapa Hotel in Harare in his 16th floor room as he returned from work at around 6PM.

The incident comes at a time when Zanu-PF has ordered the Midlands province to conduct hearings against party provincial leaders who have been accused of threatening Hlongwane and two other Ministers: Anastasia Ndhlovu, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality as well as Tapiwa Matangaidze, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

Hlongwane, Ndhlovu and Matangaidze recently wrote to Zanu-PF national commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko seeking protection from party members who are allegedly victimising them on claims that their appointments were G40 (Generation 40) motivated.

Hlongwane yesterday confirmed filing a report at Harare Central Police Station in connection with the matter, but could not be drawn into saying much.

“The facts are as they are. I can’t speculate. I find a bullet in my room, I see it as I come from work. Other than that, I can’t speculate,” he said by telephone from the capital.

The minister said the bullet had been placed on a headboard in the room.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi could not immediately comment on the matter last night.

Last week, Cde Kasukuwere ordered Zanu-PF Midlands province to investigate the alleged threats against Hlongwane, Matangaidze and Ndhlovu allegedly made by the Midlands provincial secretary for security, Cde Owen Ncube; the provincial youth league secretary for administration, Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena; the youth provincial chairman, Cde Edmore Samambwa, among others.

The Midlands Province has since set up a five-member disciplinary committee led by the provincial deputy chairman, Cde McKenzie Ncube and Cde John Holder to look into the matter.

At a provincial meeting held last Friday, Cde Ncube, the provincial vice chairperson, read a letter of complaint the three Ministers wrote to Cde Mphoko and Cde Kasukuwere.

In the letter, the trio accused Cde Owen Ncube and Cde Wadyajena of also denigrating other party leaders such as Cde Kasukuwere, Cde Patrick Zhuwao and Professor Jonathan Moyo. The letter alleged that Cde Owen Ncube also chanted slogans during a meeting at the provincial party office denigrating the trio as well as the three politburo members.

Cde Wadyajena was alleged to have accused Cde Matangaidze and his colleagues of being part of the “G40 cabal” accused of plotting against Vice President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascent to power.

“We the undersigned, are writing to you in your capacity as national secretary for the commissariat, charged with the responsibility of maintaining order and discipline within the party. Since the appointments, we have been under incessant attacks from Owen Mudha Ncube (secretary for security in the Midlands province), Justice Mayor Wadyajena (secretary for administration in the Midlands youth league), Edmore Samambwa (The youth provincial chairman) and other members of the Youth League who allege our appointments were G40-motivated. Cde Ncube once chanted slogans during a meeting at the party office where he said pasi na (down with) Matangaidze, pasi na Makhosini Hlongwani, pasi na Anastasia Ndlovu pasi na Kasukuwere, pasi na Zhuwao pasi na Jonathan Moyo,” reads part of the letter.