Mutinhiri cleared of conspiracy against Zanu PF

Comment & Analysis
BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE DEPUTY Labour and Social Welfare Minister Tracy Mutinhiri was on Friday cleared of charges of working against Zanu PF at an internal hearing, sources have revealed.

Mutinhiri, who is also the Mashonaland East MP, was accused of working with MDC-T and allegedly voting for the party’s chairman Lovemore Moyo in the March elections for Speaker of Parliament.

Zanu PF had fielded its own chairman Simon Khaya-Moyo who lost to the MDC-T chairman.

According to sources, the disciplinary committee chaired by vice-chairman Stephen Chiurai agreed that the allegations against Mutinhiri could not be substantiated.

The case allegedly crumbled after the witnesses who were called failed to build a case against the MP.

But Zanu PF Mashonaland East chairman Ray Kaukonde yesterday said the case had not been finalised.

“The outcome is not yet out, check with me Friday next week,” he said.

“However, the hearing will be fair and firm, it will be done fairly. She will be tried using a Zanu PF bible and this will be fair.”Mutinhiri could not be reached for comment.

Last month Zanu PF activists invaded Mutinhiri’s farm in Marondera but they were encouraged to leave by party officials.

She claimed State Security minister Sydney Sekeremayi was behind the invasion because he wanted to replace her with Zanu PF’s provincial secretary for security Lawrence Katsiru.

Sekeremayi is the senator for the area.

Kaukonde said Zanu PF was not going to repossess her farm as she had benefited from a national programme.