Chiyangwa and Paradza expelled from ZANU-PF

By Tererai Karimakwenda
24 February 2006

Herald Zanu PF has expelled former Mashonaland West provincial chairman and businessman Mr Philip Chiyangwa and former Makonde legislator Mr Kindness Paradza from the party. Mr Chiyangwa is also a former Member of Parliament for Chinhoyi. The decision to expel the two was taken at the ruling party’s Politburo meeting in Harare on Wednesday. Zanu PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa confirmed the expulsion of the two but did not elaborate. Mr Chiyangwa yesterday also confirmed his expulsion but did not give details.

The born-again Christian said: "I can confirm that I was expelled from the party yesterday (Wednesday), but I don’t have much to say other than to accept the verdict. It’s God’s destiny," he said, referring to a verse in the Bible (Romans 8:20) that says "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope."

Mr Paradza could not be reached for comment. In July last year, Mr Chiyangwa resigned from the provincial chairmanship but insisted that he would remain a ruling party cadre. Before his resignation, the businessman-cum-politician was arrested on charges of espionage but was cleared by the High Court in February last year. Mr Paradza was elected into Parliament in October 2003 in a by-election to fill a post, which fell vacant following the death of national hero Cde Swithun Mombeshora. But he was later suspended for allegedly undermining the party’s leadership among other charges.

In December 2004, Mr Paradza was arrested for allegedly fanning violence in Makonde Constituency during the run-up to Zanu PF primary elections. He was accused of mobilising his supporters to attack his rival, Cde Leo Mugabe’s youths. He is out on bail pending the finalisation of the matter.