Wife’s interference threatens minister’s post

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ENERGY minister Samuel Undenge’s position as Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson is hanging by a thread, amid complaints by fellow executive members that his wife Letina is running the show.

ENERGY minister Samuel Undenge’s position as Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson is hanging by a thread, amid complaints by fellow executive members that his wife Letina is running the show.

BY EVERSON MUSHAVA

Letina, who is the National Women’s League secretary for administration, is accused of interfering in provincial women’s league issues.

She allegedly spearheaded the sacking of at least five provincial members, who are reportedly not supporting her bid to be the party’s candidate for Chimanimani West constituency.

The constituency fell vacant after the expulsion of Munacho Mutezo on allegations of supporting the Joice Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First.

Undenge and his wife are believed to be members of the G40 faction that is battling to torpedo Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambitions to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

Although the majority of provincial members are believed to be loyal to G40, sources say they might team up with those in the Mnangagwa camp to topple Undenge.

The sources said there were some provincial executive members who approached Zanu PF commissar Saviour Kasukuwere over Undenge’s conduct.

“We are having very serious problems with the party in Manicaland province.

“We have seen a lot of questionable decisions being taken and members are not happy at all. The level of disgruntlement is too high,” said a provincial member who requested anonymity.

“They have collectively destroyed the province to the extent that people are no longer coming to meetings,” added one of the disgruntled members.

Sources also said the women’s provincial structures were in shambles because of Letina’s interference as she tries to map her way to land the Chimanimani seat.

In one of the letters seen by The Standard, provincial chairlady Estery Muyambo is accused of working to remove members co-opted during the time of Happiness Nyakuedzwa who was ousted for allegedly conniving with Monica Mutsvangwa to destabilise the province.

“You are hereby advised that your co-option has been set aside and we herewith direct your administrative district to second a candidate,” read a letter to one Evelyn Mutsago copied to Undenge, Letina and secretary for administration Kenneth Saruchera.

However, some women’s league provincial members were adamant that they were being targeted for supporting Nokuthula Matsikenyere who is the likely candidate to represent Zanu PF in Chimanimani West.

“The level of interference we are seeing now done by Letina is similar to that done by Mutsvangwa some time back. Letina is acting as if she is the provincial chairlady and she is always in our meetings something that is not allowed,” one of the women’s league officials said.

Matsikenyere who is also in the provincial structures said it was sad that some people were being victimised.

“I have heard that people are being fired, but I am still to check on all the details,” she said. “There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed and interference on provincial structures is not allowed.”

Letina was not available for comment as she was said to be in a meeting.