Agencies
President Robert Mugabe has fired Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Monica Mutsvangwa from Government.
This followed her three-year suspension from Zanu-PF by the revolutionary party’s Politburo last week for gross misconduct and indiscipline.
Acting Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr Regis Chikowore confirmed the development, saying Ms Mutsavangwa had been served with a letter relieving her of her duties in Government at the weekend.
Ms Mutsvangwa was relieved of her duties at about the same time with her husband, Christopher Mutsvangwa, who last Thursday lost his job as Minister for the Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Re- strictees.
Mr Mutsvangwa, who is the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman, was suspended for gross misconduct and disloyalty and also given a three-year suspension by the Zanu-PF Politburo last Thursday.
The couple will not hold any positions in the party during their suspension, but will continue holding their parliamentary seats.
Mr Mutsvangwa is the Norton National Assembly representative while his wife is Senator for Manicaland.
The Zanu-PF Women’s League passed a vote of no confidence on Ms Mutsvangwa as the league’s spokesperson last year for indiscipline.
This was after she participated in an illegal meeting that tried to overturn the ousting of Manicaland chairlady Happiness Nyakuedzwa, who was herself was kicked out for disrespecting the First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe.
Amai Mugabe is also the Zanu-PF Secretary for Women Affairs.
On the other hand, Mr Mutsvangwa was suspended after the Mashonaland West provincial executive last year recommended his expulsion, accusing him of insulting the First Family and undermining the authority of the President.
This followed his utterances in the media where he was quoted as saying: “We will always respect the institution of marriage and he (Cde Saviour Kasukuwere) is confused and conflating the institution of marriage and that of the State.”
His woes mounted when he tried to convene a meeting of war veterans without notifying the relevant authorities, including getting police clearance.
The freedom fighters, who gathered for the unsanctioned meeting, were dispersed by police using teargas and water cannons.
The development irked the patron of the war veterans, President Mugabe, who had no kind words for Mr Mutsvangwa.
Also suspended for three years was the Women’s League secretary for administration Esphina Nhari, who had a vote of no confidence passed against her by the wing for chanting the slogan “Pasi NeG40” at a rally in Gutu last year.
Seven former youth provincial chairpersons were also expelled after some of them issued a press statement insulting and denigrating the First Lady.
These are Godfrey Tsenengamu (Mashonaland Central), Godwin Gomwe (Harare), Vengai Musengi (Mashonaland West), Washington Nkomo (Matabeleland South), Khumbulani Mpofu (Bulawayo), Edmore Samambwa (Midlands) and Tamuka Nyoni (Matabeleland North).
Another seven youths leaders from associations aligned to Zanu-PF were also expelled from the party.
