Factional fighting took an ugly turn in Zanu PF on Wednesday as opposing camps continue to fight for political turf ahead of next month’s crucial elective congress with former Harare provincial youth chairman, Jim Kunaka, allegedly being abducted from his Mbare base by four armed men suspected to belong to an opposing camp.
Sources say the four men, who were driving a white Isuzu KB twin cab truck, fired shots into the air as they forcibly took Kunaka from his Carter House base and dragged him into their truck, savagely beating him in the process.
Kunaka is the leader of the notorious Chipangano group that is based in the high density suburb.
Zanu PF member Wellington Peyama says the truck then sped off in the direction of the Harare International Airport where the men allegedly dumped Kunaka.
The badly injured Kunaka is currently detained at the Avenues Clinic where he is receiving medical attention after being picked up by passers-by.
In an interview with VOA Studio 7 Peyama accused current Harare Zanu PF youth chairman, Godwin Gomwe, of being involved in Kunaka’s attack.
The two youths belong to two factions fighting to have their candidate elected vice president at the Zanu PF congress in December.
Peyama said many Zanu PF youths in Harare are now living in fear after this incident.
"We don't know about our lives. Are we safe? I don't know if I will be talking again on this forum. It's something that we all don't know," says Peyama.
Studio 7 failed to reach Gomwe for a comment.
Studio 7 reached Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba for comment but she said she was on leave.
She referred all questions to Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi who was not reachable.
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Interview With Wellington Peyama
Meanwhile, former Midlands governor and Politburo member, Cephas Msipa, has condemned the on-going divisions in Zanu PF and the alleged ousting of provincial chairmen by one of the factions in the party saying this has the potential of destabilizing the ruling party.
Some analysts say Zanu PF will never be the same again, citing recent events as the party heads to a congress that may elected leaders likely to take over power when President Mugabe leaves office.
Tensions have been rising in the ruling party after the camp allegedly led by Mnangagwa turned the heat on Vice President Mujuru’s camp in a battle for the vice presidency at the congress.