Simbarashe Mtembo
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO-Zanu PF provincial chairperson Rabson Mavhenyengwa and secretary for commissariat Brian Munyoro are accused of withholding a disciplinary letter for aspiring Gutu West candidate Mutonho Mutonho for him not to participate in Saturday’s primary election.
Sources told The Mirror that Mavhenyengwa and Munyoro withheld a guilty disciplinary hearing verdict for Mutonho which bars him from holding any position within the party for two years. As a result Mutonho could not appeal against the verdict in time for Saturday’s primary election.

Mavhenyengwa confirmed the letter but referred questions to party provincial spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe.
Zanu PF national disciplinary committee wrote a guilty verdict to Mutonho on February 9, 2023 and Mavhenyengwa signed the document on February 17. Mutonho was however, was given a copy of the verdict which bars him from holding any party office on Saturday when he went to submit his CV.

Mutonho who was Gutu Ward 6B chairperson was suspended for allegedly campaigning before the election season. He was carrying out various projects including donating bicycles and food hampers in his ward when he was suspended.
The incumbent Gutu West MP is Zanu PF national youth league deputy secretary John Paradza and he will run unopposed in Saturday’s election if Mutonho’s CV is rejected.

Mutonho confirmed receiving the letter on Saturday in an interview with The Mirror.
“I received my disciplinary hearing verdict on Saturday after I had enquired. The verdict bars me from holding any party office for two years. I have submitted my CV for vetting,” said Mutonho.
Chiwewe said Mutonho was found guilty and alleged that he was served with the verdict.
“The vetting of CVs is done in Harare by the National Electorate Directory (NED) chaired by Mike Bimha. Mutonho was charged with indiscipline and is barred from holding any position for two years. I am sure he was served with the letter when the verdict came out,” said Chiwewe.

Efforts to get a comment from Paradza were futile.
A source that spoke to The Mirror said the withholding of the letter was deliberate to ensure that Mutonho does not appeal against the verdict.
“We suspect that this was a deliberate move to ensure that Mutonho does not appeal against the verdict. Mavhenyengwa and other top guns want Paradza to run uncontested.
“Mutonho has been donating food stuffs, hampers, bicycles and other different things to people in his district and this rattled Paradza,” said the source.