Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Controversial Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Patrick Zhuwao, was nearly beaten up by angry youths who demanded jobs from President Robert Mugabe’s nephew.

Zhuwao, who was in Masvingo last week to address a public dialogue meeting was forced to eat a humble pie after the youths threatened to detain him, demanding an explanation on the two million jobs promised by the government. The agitated youths also threatened to assault the minister if he did not give them a satisfactory explanation. The angry youths threatened to lock up Zhuwao at the Civic Centre, the venue for the meeting demanding an explanation on jobs promised by the government.
The minister came face to face with public anger when he was confronted by youths from Zanu PF in a surprise move that left him shaken to the core. Party insiders quickly claimed Zhuwao was undressed by youths loyal to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the perceived Zanu PF power struggles.
Tatenda Nyoka, an executive member of the Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union, an organisation affiliated to Zanu PF challenged Zhuwao to push for employment creation. “You are not going to leave this place unless you give us something tangible. We also want you to push parliament to adopt a quarter system so that youths can also get representation,” said Nyoka. Another youth identified as Charles Munganasa also said: “It is an insult for you to say the government is empowering us with education when it’s our constitutional right. The education is being paid for by our parents, therefore our parents are empowering us, not the government”. The youths also yelled direct insults at Zhuwao,  “Who are you to stop us from saluting our chancellor (President Robert Mugabe?”said the youths.
The embattled Zhuwao left the venue hurriedly following the embarrassing incident.