SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
Flora Buka has been reported for kidnapping members of the Women’s League
By Mthulisi Mathuthu SW Radio Africa 04 August 2014
The ZANU PF MP for Gokwe-Gumunyu, Melania Majovani, has reported the Minister of State in the president’s office, Flora Buka, for abducting and holding members of the Women’s League hostage, in a bid to force them to vote for her.
Majovani told the police last Friday that Buka was holding fifty-five women at a lodge in Gokwe ahead of the Women’s League conference, during which the two will be battling it out for the Gokwe chairperson’s position.
However Buka is denying the allegations saying she booked the women into the lodge after they had asked her for accommodation ahead of the elections scheduled for Wednesday. Buka accused her rival of framing her because she was already aware that she would lose the election.
Observers said the development was typical of ZANU PF politics which descends to petty levels during election time. SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the stakes were so high that members were ready to do anything to secure their future.
He added: ‘It’s getting really dangerous now; and you find that the police and the army are also involved in these infightings and so anything can happen to anyone. Police reports are used to tarnish other opponents even when there is no crime committed.’
He said it was a ‘crazy moment in ZANU PF with every strategic member seeking to secure their positions to fit in with the succession puzzle. Already there are two known factions said to be fighting for the control of the party.
Both vice President Joice Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa are said to be leading the opposing factions. The two are said to be vying for the presidency after Mugabe’s departure.
But the succession issue received a new twist last week with reports that First Lady Grace Mugabe was being put forward as the leader of the Women’s League.