MASVINGO - The Masvingo ZANU PF Youth League has said it only endorsed party first secretary, President Robert Mugabe, and not the other two presidium members, vice president Joyce Mujuru and party national chairman John Nkomo, in sharp contrast to other provinces that have since endorsed the whole presidium ahead of the party's annual congress to be held in December. (Pictured: Joyce Mujuru and John Nkomo)

"We are different from other provinces that endorsed the whole presidium. We endorsed President Mugabe only because he has some qualities that others do not have. He does not succumb to some pressures, said Youth League vice chairperson Cleopas Magwizi, at the youth congress on Sunday held in Masvingo. "Mujuru and Nkomo are dead wood. They are of no benefit to the party-in fact, they are  turning out to be liabilities, while Mugabe has made a peculiar service to the party and the nation as a whole."
Magwizi is deputized by Yeukai Simbanegavi from Gutu and Talent Majoni from Chiredzi and they will be part of the five member team that will represent Masvingo at the party's congress in December.
Magwizi also accused Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi, who is also the Masvingo South legislator of arrogance as he failed to turn up for their conference.
"He (Mzembi) does not recognize our provincial executive. He is arrogant. He does not attend most of the party functions here, despite the fact that he hails from Masvingo, except a few ones." he said.
Senior politburo members Dzikamai Mavhaire and Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Stan Mudenge attended the function.
The conference, which was supposed to be held in Harare a fortnight ago, was postponed after some fighting over power struggles.
Mujuru, who is vying for Mugabe's top post together with Defence Minister Emerson Mnangagwa, was said to have a conspiracy with the Saviour Kasukuwere faction to influence the election of Youth League leaders to block any election of members from the Mnangagwa faction.