President Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF has shut the door on former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s loyalists ahead of this week’s Central Committee elections. The party is set to hold Central Committee elections this week ahead of the Extraordinary Congress scheduled for next month.

In separate interviews yesterday, Zanu-PF provincial leaders said a Zanu-PF member who is facing disciplinary action cannot contest for any party position and will be left out of Central Committee elections. Zanu-PF Matabeleland South interim chairman Cde Saul Mahalima Ncube said the former VP’s loyalists, who were recommended for expulsion, cannot contest in the coming elections.

 Last week, the province recommended the expulsion of among others the Minister for State Security, Cde Kembo Mohadi, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Cde Obedingwa Mguni, provincial chairman Cde Rabaleni Choeni, Central Committee members Cdes Reni Kibi, Tambudzani Mohadi, Abednigo Ncube among others for working with the fired Vice President.
In Manicaland party heavyweights Oppah Muchinguri and Patrick Chinamasa are also facing ouster.

Zanu-PF has since said disciplinary proceedings will be instituted against members its provinces want expelled from the party.

“According to the party’s constitution, a member who has a pending disciplinary issue cannot contest for any position in the party until their issue is resolved. Hence, we don’t expect those we recommended for expulsion to participate in the coming elections,” said Cde Ncube. state media