Masvingo– Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial leadership has fired two senior officials from resisting the ED2030 Agenda.
Chiredzi North MP Roy Bhila and Gutu East MP Benjamin Ganyiwa were recently barred from participating in party activities for 21 days.
The move, widely interpreted as part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s crackdown on dissent, comes amid escalating factional battles over Zanu PF’s leadership succession.
Both Bhila and Ganyiwa are believed to be aligned with a faction supporting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is rumoured to be positioning himself to succeed Mnangagwa in 2028.
This faction is reportedly against extending Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutional limit.
However, Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe denied any connection between the prohibition orders and the factional disputes, framing the suspensions as responses to individual acts of indiscipline.
“I can confirm that prohibition orders were issued to Chiredzi North and Gutu East MPs. These are not expulsion letters but a directive to halt participation in party programs until disciplinary hearings are conducted,” Chiwewe told TellZim.
Bhila faces multiple accusations, including violating the party’s constitution, inciting public unrest, and insulting fellow party members.
According to the prohibition order, Bhila allegedly used inflammatory language during a public discussion about Chiredzi Town Council operations, urging the council to abandon development projects in favor of contentious alternative areas.
The document also details instances where Bhila reportedly insulted colleagues, including a female party member and her husband, calling them derogatory names.
Furthermore, Bhila’s supporters allegedly attacked other party members during ward rallies, with reports reaching provincial officials.
Bhila’s history of clashes with the party leadership is well-documented.
In November 2023, he was dismissed as Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce after serving for only three months.
Despite these setbacks, Bhila remains publicly loyal to Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“I follow what the party decides. If it says go, then I will go. I will remain resolute and loyal, supporting the party and President Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda,” Bhila said when contacted for comment.
The Masvingo Provincial leadership has intensified efforts to root out opposition to Mnangagwa’s controversial “2030 vanenge vachipo” slogan, which projects his extended rule.
Brighton Mushekwa, a Zanu PF councillor from Bikita, was recently suspended for refusing to chant the slogan during a meeting.
The disciplinary measures against Bhila and Ganyiwa appear to signal Mnangagwa’s determination to consolidate power ahead of the 2028 elections.
Analysts view these actions as a clear message to Chiwenga’s allies that dissent will not be tolerated.
-TellZim