In the central committee report tabled at the just-ended Zanu PF national conference in Bulawayo, Moyo said the national disciplinary committee (NDC) discovered that Chiyangwa never applied for re-admission while deliberating on his case on August 29 2011 and November 2 2011.
Moyo chairs the five-member disciplinary committee, whose other members are secretary for security, Sydney Sekeramayi, secretary for legal affairs Emmerson Mnangagwa, Women’s League boss Oppah Muchinguri and secretary for education Sikhanyiso Ndlovu.
Chiyangwa, who faced espionage charges in 2004, but was cleared by the High Court in 2005, was expelled from the party on March 20 2006. According to the party’s constitution, a member expelled by the national disciplinary committee or congress, shall not be re-admitted into the party until after five years have lapsed.
“The NDC, in its perusal of Cde P Chiyangwa’s record, did not find any letter of application for re-admission from him directed to the secretary for administration, Cde DNE Mutasa or the chairman of the national disciplinary committee bearing a date after the expiry of his expulsion on March 20 2006,” Moyo said.
“The NDC concluded the matter by advising the 250th ordinary session of the politburo that it cannot do anything until it receives Cde P Chiyangwa’s application letter, if he so applies.”
The matter was discussed at a politburo meeting last month, where some members put up a spirited fight to fast-track his re-admission into party structures.
Chiyangwa, who could not be reached for comment last week as his mobile went unanswered, had announced his intention to contest the Mashonaland West provincial chairmanship at a party he held in October.
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However, President Robert Mu-gabe scuttled his bid to contest the elections, arguing that the businessman was still a “security threat” because of the espionage case.
It was resolved at that meeting that Chiyangwa would only be re-admitted as an ordinary member of the party, when he applies.
CHIYANGWA HAD ROLE IN SUCCESSION BATTLE
Chiyangwa, whose role in the succession battle was prominent before the 2004 congress, was accused of selling information to foreign governments, mainly South Africa.
He was arrested with four others and detained incommunicado for weeks in the run-up to the explosive Zanu PF congress in 2004. Chiyangwa was arrested along with former Metropolitan Bank corporate secretary Tendai Matambanadzo, former Zanu PF deputy director for security Kenny Karidza, the party’s external affairs director Itai Mahachi and former ambassador-designate to Mozambique Godfrey Dzvairo on charges of contravening the Official Secrets Acts.
