Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First has fired Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo and five other key members in a move that reveals sharp divisions within the party.
Addressing journalists at her residence in Harare, Mujuru alleged that the expelled party figures were being used by Zanu PF to bring her party down.
“We are equally aware of the desperate efforts by the Zanu PF Regime to ensure that Zimbabwe People First fails on its mandate to be the next Government. Without equivocation, it is on public record that Mugabe has boasted that there shall be ZimPF one, two and so on.
“As anticipated, the regime is desperate because of the exponential growth of our party and the fact that the party is firmly rooted on ensuring that the ideals of the revolution return to the citizenry,” said Mujuru.
She added that the decision to expel Mutasa, Gumbo and others was meant to protect Zim People First from sophisticated infiltration, coup detat which had taken centre stage in her party.
“Having done extensive consultation within the rank and file of the Party and also in my capacity as the President of the Party with the executive authority to ensure its wellbeing, I hereby announce the expulsion of the following members from Zimbabwe people First Party with immediate effect: Rugare Enock Ngidi Gumbo, Didymus N. E. Mutasa, Margaret Dongo, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti-Chuma, Luckson Kandemiri, Munacho Mutezo, Cloudious Makova,” said Mujuru adding that the firing of Mutasa and crew will not deter her commitment to a coalition of progressive opposition forces to fight and remove Zanu PF from office.
Meanwhile unconfirmed reports indicate that the expelled members will be convening a press conference soon to announce the firing of Mujuru from Zim People First.
