Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ZANU PF has nullified the co-option of Paul Tungwarara, a special adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a member of the party’s Central Committee.
The co-option took place during an extraordinary Provincial Coordination Committee (PCC) meeting held by ZANU-PF Manicaland on Sunday, 07 December, where Tungwarara was brought in to fill a vacant Central Committee seat.
The position became available after Chipinge Central Committee member Dorothy Mabika was elected provincial Women’s League chairperson.
Under party rules, the seat is reserved for a Women’s League representative from Chipinge.
Tungwarara’s co-option, held at Mutare Girls High School, had received backing from the party’s youth league, women’s league, main wing, and war veterans.
Nominations were opened by ZANU PF Manicaland provincial youth member Victor Saunyama and Makoni District Coordinating Committee chair Kudzi Chipanga, following an agenda read out by provincial chairman Tawanda Mukodza to fill the Central Committee vacancy.
However, in a letter dated 11 December 2025 addressed to Mukodza, ZANU-PF National Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha said Tungwarara’s co-option had been nullified. Wrote Machacha:
“The Commissariat Department has established that Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) convened a meeting on Sunday 7 December 2025, during which Cde. Dr. Paul T. Tungwarara was co-opted as a Central Committee Member filling the vacant post left by Cde. Dorothy Mabika.
“In this regard, you are advised that the said co-option has been nullified with immediate effect, as the process contravened the Legal Affairs Department Circular, dated 30 June 2025, which set out mandatory guidelines and procedures for co-opting members into the Central Committee.
“Among other key provisions, the Circular stipulates that any replacement must be drawn from the same Administrative District as the outgoing member.
“In this case, the appropriate candidate for the vacancy must originate from Chipinge Administrative District.
“This is to uphold the Party’s established principle of representation and ensure equitable distribution of seats across all Administrative Districts.
“Furthermore, you are requested to ensure that until this matter is resolved and Chipinge District has made a decision, any activities that involve the issuance of money, goods or services by aspiring candidates will be deemed as vote buying and as such will lead to automatic disqualification.
“In view of the above, Manicaland Province is advised to conduct another co-option process following the correct guidelines and procedures indicated in the above mentioned circular from the Legal Affairs Department.”
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