By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Zanu PF’s Politburo has intervened in the controversy surrounding the disruption of a youth sports gala in Churu Constituency, Harare South, by anti-riot police last Saturday.
Party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, addressing a press briefing on Monday, confirmed that Zanu PF’s top decision-making body discussed the matter and rejected what he described as “pettiness” that had interfered with youth programmes.
The sports gala, organised by ZimSport for Economic Development (ZimSport4ED), a Zanu PF affiliate organisation whose patron is President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was abruptly halted on Saturday after anti-riot police dispersed participants gathered at Centurbury Primary School in Churu Constituency.
The event was anticipated to attract more than 10,000 young people from across Harare and featured football, netball, volleyball, basketball and anti-drug abuse activities.
Several party and government sources told Newshour that the fallout from the disrupted sports gala extended beyond party structures and was also discussed at the Joint Operations Command (JOC), Zimbabwe’s supreme coordinating body on state security matters.
According to insiders, the incident drew attention at the highest levels of government, with some alleging that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was particularly aggrieved by the disruption of a youth empowerment programme associated with ZimSport4ED, whose patron is the Head of State.
Mutsvangwa said the party leadership had discussed the matter and directed responsible officials to restore unity within the party.
“We are trying as much as possible for Zanu PF members to find peace amongst themselves, so that the aspirations of the membership in support of proper and rightful activities like sport are pursued without undue hindrance because of pettiness.
“We don’t tolerate pettiness in Zanu PF.
“I have got to be very frank about that. And the Politburo actually made a ruling along the same lines,” said Mutsvangwa.
He revealed that the Politburo had rejected “petty” reports that sought to downplay internal squabbles that had affected party activities.
“What I am talking about is actually a decision of the Politburo.
“Some reports of petulance and pettiness were shunned aside and thrown out by the Politburo.
“The Politburo members with line responsibility were told to go and address those issues and pull up the socks of the membership so that we all work as one,” he said.
Mutsvangwa’s remarks come amid allegations that senior Harare provincial leaders ordered the cancellation of the programme despite months of planning and mobilisation.
Several party sources have alleged that Harare Provincial Chairman Godwills Masimirembwa played a central role in the deployment of anti-riot police to the venue.
Some organisers were reportedly informed that all Zanu PF affiliate mobilisation activities in Harare Province had been suspended until June 30.
However, Mutsvangwa appeared to dismiss any suggestion that affiliate organisations had been officially barred from operating.
“I take note that the matter is under control and I want to assure our membership that those who are involved in sporting activities and other activities which are productive to the party’s well-being will not be stopped, and those who are wayward have to curtail their behaviour,” he said.
His comments effectively contradict claims that affiliate programmes had been suspended and signal that the Politburo does not support the disruption of approved mobilisation activities.
The ZimSport4ED programme by 9:30am had drawn an estimated 2,000 participants, including youths, athletes, coaches, parents and community members, before police moved in.
Videos and photographs seen by Newshour showed anti-riot police officers and police vehicles deployed at the venue as participants were ordered to leave.
The incident has triggered concern within Zanu PF, with senior party figures reportedly questioning why Harare Province continues to be plagued by internal disputes while other provinces remain focused on mobilisation and party programmes.
“A simple question was raised, why is Zanu PF Harare Province constantly at war with itself?” said a senior party source familiar with discussions surrounding the issue.
“What happened in Ushewokunze (Harare South) last Saturday has embarrassed the party because thousands of young people were chased away from a grassroots programme meant to empower them,” added the source.
The aborted sports gala has become one of the most controversial internal Zanu PF incidents in recent months.
According to party insiders, the issue attracted significant attention within the Politburo because it involved a youth empowerment programme aimed at promoting sport and combating drug and substance abuse.
The matter’s discussion in both the Politburo and JOC highlighted the seriousness with which party and state authorities viewed the fallout from the incident.
The controversy has also intensified scrutiny of Harare’s provincial leadership, which has faced criticism in recent months over persistent factional battles and disciplinary disputes.
What has particularly alarmed party insiders is that the programme targeted young people and was designed to promote sport, youth empowerment and anti-drug abuse campaigns in communities battling substance abuse.
Instead, participants witnessed the deployment of anti-riot police against a gathering of youths, athletes, coaches and parents.
“The optics are disastrous.
“Thousands of youths were invited to a Zanu PF-affiliated programme only to be dispersed by police.
“That is why the matter ended up before the Politburo,” said another party source.
Mutsvangwa acknowledged that mistakes had been made but insisted the party was taking corrective action.
“We are very confident that we will come to that. You know, Zanu PF is a party with organisation and structure. Some new members don’t understand these things.
“We grope our way, sometimes mistakes are made, sometimes people do things which are untoward in Zanu PF,” said Mutsvangwa.
“The main thing is that we learn and we always strive for the correct path.
“The President is always giving direction in that aspect,” added Mutsvangwa.
The latest developments suggest that the party’s national leadership is moving to contain growing tensions within Harare Province as pressure mounts over the handling of the sports gala.
