Just a few months ago, it seemed almost inevitable that factional conflicts within Zanu PF would lead to the political demise of Justice Mayor Wadyajena.
However, his adversaries, particularly those in his tumultuous Midlands Province, overlooked one crucial fact: throughout his winding journey in both business and politics, he has repeatedly been dismissed and underestimated, only to rise again, much like an indefatigable rubber ball.
In the business realm, Wadyajena faced a significant setback when he and five others were falsely implicated in a contrived fraud scandal involving COTTCO. This incident resulted in the confiscation of his personal vehicles and haulage trucks, crippling his business operations.
Within the ruling party, Zanu PF, he was defeated in the primary elections by his longtime rival, Flora Buka, which seemed to spell the end of his political ambitions. His enemies wasted no time in trying to eliminate him completely, orchestrating his suspension from the party and pushing for his expulsion. Yet, the President intervened, declaring that Wadyajena would not be suspended.
The challenges were multifaceted, as he also faced serious criminal allegations that could have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence. His business operations were further jeopardized when the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) secured an order to seize his well-known high-end haulage trucks and luxury cars. His opponents believed they had finally succeeded in ending his career, but just as they began to craft his obituary, he made a remarkable comeback, returning to both his political role and a thriving business.
As a shrewd strategist, Wadyajena opted for a legal battle, ultimately taking his case to the Supreme Court. The court, comprising esteemed judges, concluded that there was no evidence supporting the outrageous claims of fraud and money laundering against him and the other COTTCO associates. This decision confirmed the widespread belief that the legal actions against them were politically motivated. Consequently, ZACC had to concede that its initial case was unfounded and without merit, marking a significant victory for Wadyajena.
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The Central Committee of Zanu PF, the party’s main policy-making body, rescinded Wadyajena’s suspension, which had been instigated by his rivals in the Midlands, particularly Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge, the Provincial Chairman, who is now facing calls for his own ouster for failing to support the President.
The Central Committee also lifted the suspensions of several others, effectively ending a destructive political feud that had left the Midlands in turmoil. This move underscored Wadyajena’s considerable influence within the party. Following comprehensive hearings, it was determined that the suspensions were malicious and lacked justification.
The report from the Central Committee revealed that ZANU PF’s national Chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, oversaw twenty-three disciplinary hearings spanning eight provinces.
In the Midlands province, over 30 members had been suspended under Chiherenge’s chairmanship. The appeals against these suspensions were resolved, resulting in a collective lifting of the bans.
Wadyajena, along with Florence Rwodzi and several other senior Midlands executives, had been suspended for allegedly undermining party candidates in the 2023 elections, but these charges were ultimately deemed fabricated by the National Disciplinary Committee.
He is now reinstated as the Chairman of the ZANU PF Gokwe North District Coordinating Committee (DCC), and Rwodzi has also returned to her role as Secretary for Production and Labour in the Midlands Provincial Women’s League.
Other members, including Peace Tavengwa, Godfrey Hofisi, and Catherine Mandenda, also faced suspensions. The Central Committee report noted that the cases of Ignatius Chombo, Robert Nyemudzo, and Paul Chimedza were concluded with recommendations for their readmission to the party, while some suspensions were lifted.
On the business front, the High Court ordered the return of his trucks and vehicles after he was exonerated in the corruption case.
The lifting of his suspension has left his detractors embarrassed, but it’s important to remember that he has consistently enjoyed the support of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who stood by him through every crisis.
Even during the intense factional wars in Zanu PF back in 2014, when Wadyajena was targeted by a faction aligned with then Vice President Joice Mujuru, he managed to survive and thrive. Similarly, he navigated threats from then political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere between 2015 and 2017, once again emerging unscathed.
One might conclude that he possesses a unique resilience or has undeniable political backing that supports his repeated comebacks. With the ongoing conflicts within Zanu PF, his reinstatement raises questions about the loyalties at play: who is aligned with whom, and what will become of those who opposed him in defiance of Mnangagwa’s wishes?
Recent history in Zanu PF offers cautionary tales that even the most oblivious party members cannot afford to ignore.
