ZIMPF founding elders Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa and part of their supporters reportedly walked out of a meeting on Monday that sought to endorse Agrippa Mutambara as the interim leader, NewsDay heard.

Gumbo and Mutasa have been the caretaker leaders since the acrimonious split with a group led by the now NPP leader Joice Mujuru.

The two were appointed caretaker leaders to allow the party to re-strategise and find another leader.

Sources who attended the Monday meeting held at the party office told NewsDay that after disagreeing on Mutambara taking over, the founding elders and their supporters walked out.

“They walked out in protest. They are saying it is not possible to have Mutambara as leader. They are saying he is not suitable for that position. However, the challenge is that Mutambara has a lot of supporters and he is loved by the structures as opposed to the elders. After failing to convince others, the elders left,” said a close source who attended the meeting.