TRANSPORT Minister Obert Mpofu has lashed out at Rugare Gumbo labelling the party spokesman a "factional spokesman".
Gumbo is said to be in a faction led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru that is battling another group led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Addressing the Zanu PF Matabeleland North provincial executive at the weekend, Mpofu urged Zanu PF members to engage in robust debate around the issue of leadership change for the good of the party.
"Now we don't know if people who have been appointed to speak on behalf of the party are indeed speaking on behalf of the party or their faction. You find a grown man babbling on national television on behalf a faction instead of speaking on behalf of the party," Mpofu said.
"Some of us don't accept that. If you are a spokesman for Zanu PF speak on behalf of the party. Don't speak for yourself or your goblins. We don't want that. It is destroying the party.
"If you are a party spokesperson tell the people of things that have been agreed on as a party not what pleases you. If you start pointing fingers everywhere and apportioning blame for whatever is wrong in the party, know that you now have a problem," Mpofu said.
Although Mpofu did not mention any names, it was clear that the target of his vicious tongue was none other than Gumbo, the sole spokesman for Zanu PF.
The Mujuru camp has of late come under blistering attacks from the Mnangagwa faction for allegedly scheming to stampede President Robert Mugabe out of power.
Gumbo has however fought in Mujuru's corner defending the vice-president at every opportunity, a tactic that appears to have ruffled members of the Mnangagwa camp.
An angry Mpofu accused Gumbo of trying to turn party leaders into "puppets".
"Speak on behalf of the party. People should not treat us as their puppets. In this province we always stand by what the party says. If there are some guidelines that we will be given by the party, let's wait for them," he said.
He welcomed the disagreements in the party arguing they are healthy for "democracy".
"I would like to thank women for electing the first lady to lead the women's league. The current discussions and level of debate within the party are good for our growth as an institution," Gumbo said.
"I am aware though that some people are arguing that these are dividing the party but some of us who grew up in this political system know how good it is for the future of this movement.
"This kind of debate and understanding of issues actually builds the party. If you are always agreeing, yes, yes, even with your wife, nothing moves. In fact, it means one of you is not being sincere or is trying to cover up something," he said.
Mpofu also accused unnamed people within Zanu PF of using money to fan factionalism and create divisions within the former liberation movement. "People come to see me at home while relaxing with my family and say they want my support," he said.
"Some of us grew up in the party and have remained in the party. But there are some helicopters that are hovering and want to land on my head. I don't know if it is because my head is too big.
"If you see yourself going about asking for positions from people, you have a problem. People are the ones who should choose you," he added.
"There are some people, here, who attend meetings in Bulawayo, we have the names. We know meetings are being held in hotels and lodges in Bulawayo. If you are invited to a hotel, drink, eat and be merry but don't lie to that person that Matabeleland North will support the person."
The meeting was also attended by known Mnangagwa loyalists among them Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, Cain Mathema, Sithembiso Nyoni, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and provincial governor Thokozile Mathuthu.