Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Shuvai Mahofa, who some claimed was appointed to replace Kudakwashe Bhasikiti as a reward for her role in getting rid of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, has shown that she wields real power. She has barred Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi from taking over part of Barquest Farm because Mahofa says it is strategic to her province. Mahofa said she had already asked the Ministry of Lands to look for another farm for Mzembi, and said Mzembi was not the first senior party official to be barred from taking over the farm which produces 100 000 chicks a week. Chief Fortune Charumbira was also barred from taking it over. “We’re not saying Minister Mzembi should not get a farm but the farm he was allocated is strategic to the province because it supplies day old chicks that sustains lives of many ordinary people,’’ she was quoted by The Chronicle as saying. “I think there was a mistake on the part of Cde Bhasikiti when he allowed Minister Mzembi to get an offer letter for Barquest Farm. Maybe he didn’t know the history behind it,” she added. Bhasikiti was sacked as Provincial Affairs Minister because of his alleged links to the Mujuru faction. President Robert Mugabe even at one time joked that he was in the “wrong basket”. Mzembi too barely survived the purge as he was also said to be aligned to the Mujuru faction.
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