By Fanuel Jonasi

Chief Fortune Charumbira, who early this week was recalled from the National Council of Chiefs together with two other Chiefs, was a victim of his own political missteps during campaign days for the Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3), according to an inside source.

Charumbira, a former President of the Chiefs Council, was currently the deputy of the same, but was caught by surprise after a motion of no confidence was moved against him.

Forty-two of the 45 Masvingo chiefs who met at a hotel in Masvingo voted for a motion to recall Charumbira, Chief Chitanga (real name Feleni Chauke) of Mwenezi, and Chief Nhema (Rangarirai Bwawanda) of Zaka.

The recall, if formally effected, will result in the three losing their seats in the Senate.

While no official reasons were given for the proposed recalls an inside source has revealed that the genesis of Charumbira’s misfortunes go back to the heady days of CAA3.

One Centre of Power

The Chief was allegedly against the amendment and has been politically working against President Mnangagwa in the feverish factional battle that has been going on in ZANU-PF.

‘There is one centre of power in ZANU PF but Charumbira failed to read the room correctly and aligned himself with the wrong camp.

Without naming Vice President Chiwenga, who has been rumoured to be aspiring for the number one seat, the source revealed that Charumbira had been seeking to canvass support for an ambitious politician within the traditional leadership organisation.

“The factional group which he has chosen to side with has been suffering political losses lately, and it’s strange how he came to align himself with them considering his past.

Charumbira has a long history of getting tangled in sensitive political issues.

During the last election, he was accused of advising opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to ditch President Mnangagwa.

However, he publicly denounced the accusation.

History of Political Entanglement

The Masvingo vote follows months of pressure within Zanu PF against officials who criticised CAB3, failed to support it or stayed away from crucial votes.

In Manicaland, Central Committee member Moses Gutu faced a recommendation for suspension after publicly denouncing the amendment during meetings across the province.

His criticism was circulated in videos on social media, prompting provincial officials to refer his case to the national commissariat.

Fourteen Zanu PF MPs were reported to have missed the parliamentary vote on CAB3.

The absences included Ministers and deputy ministers.

Among them are Angeline Gata, Marian Chombo, Sheilla Chikomo, Jenfan Muswere and Tatenda Mavetera.

Spare Sithole, the Insiza South MP, also faced a recommendation for a three-year suspension after missing votes on 18 June and 30 June.

The motion was moved by Chief Nemanwa, real name Fungai Manjiva, who was only appointed as chief last month. His jurisdiction covers Great Zimbabwe.

Masvingo provincial minister Ezra Chadzamira and Zanu-PF provincial chairman Rabson Mavenyengwa attended the meeting, adding to indications that the move was politically motivated.

Zanu PF has embarked on a nationwide purge of officials accused of failing to enthusiastically support constitutional amendments extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term or of being lukewarm towards the proposal.

It is unclear whether the three chiefs were being punished for their position on the constitutional changes, but Chadzamira recently told a Zanu-PF meeting that “there would be gnashing of teeth”.