Zanu-PF Bans Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda from HQ

Zanu-PF Bans Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda from HQ

Zanu-PF has barred Bubi MP and Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Simelisizwe Sibanda, from taking part in any party activities while facing disciplinary action.

A letter, allegedly from the ruling party’s Matabeleland North provincial leadership, instructed Sibanda not to set foot in Zanu-PF offices or attend meetings until disciplinary committees rule on his case.

Zanu-PF Bans Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda from All Party Activities

Party officials accuse Sibanda of undermining party structures and embarrassing its leadership. They say he refused to cooperate with the District Coordinating Committee (DCC), created parallel structures, and made public statements, both in person and on social media, that discredited Zanu-PF and its leaders.

Because of this, the provincial disciplinary committee issued an order effective 24 August, banning him from exercising his duties as an Office of the Central Committee (OCC) member, entering party offices, or attending meetings until further notice.

The letter reads:

“Following alleged acts of misconduct levelled against you as contained in the accompanying NOTICE OF CHARGES, the alleged acts of misconduct emanate from;

a} Engaging in a conduct which detracts from the interest, ethos and integrity of the Party with potential of banging the name of the Party into disrepute by refusing to cooperate with DCC and creating parallel structures and

b) Utterances which has consequence of bringing the name of the Party and its leadership into disrepute by embarrassing the DCC leadership in public speaking and social media.

¢) In light of the above, the Provincial Disciplinary Committee established by the Provincial Executive Council meeting held on 24 August 2025 after noting with concem the alleged acts of misconduct raised by the Bubi DCC against you here with issues you with this prohibition order which takes effect from 24 August 2025 until your case is fully determined by the relevant disciplinary committees;

This order prohibits you from:

1. Exercising your duty as the OCC member

2. Entering of accessing to ZANU PF offices

3. Attending any ZANU PF meeting or gathering

You are informed of your rights in terms of section 533(5) and 536 (3) of Article 36 as well as section 45 of Article 37 of the Party constitution.”

Also read: President Mnangagwa Publicly Forgives Former First Lady Grace Mugabe At VP Chiwenga’s Wedding

A Troubled Political Past

This is not the first time Sibanda has clashed with the party. In July last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had to step in after Sibanda was dismissed over tribalism allegations. The deputy minister had interrogated a female ECD teacher in Matabeleland North, questioning why she was teaching there despite not speaking Ndebele.

The incident caused an uproar on social media, forcing Sibanda to apologise. Mnangagwa later pardoned him and reinstated him.

Now, just a year later, Sibanda is again fighting for his political survival, this time against his own party’s disciplinary machinery.

The post Zanu-PF Bans Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda from HQ appeared first on iHarare News.