Mpofu thrown out of VP race

By Lloyd Gumbo

MINES and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu’s hopes to contest for the vice presidency have been shattered after former PF-Zapu members threw him out of the race, saying he was never their party member.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF acting political commissar Richard Ndlovu said the criteria being used to select the vice president disqualifies Mpofu.

According to the 1987 Unity Accord, the position should go to the most senior surviving member of PF-Zapu who has been holding a senior position in the party.

Ndlovu said the unity accord clarified that the cadre to fill in the post should be a former PF-Zapu cadre and Mpofu was not a former PF-Zapu member.

“The Unity Accord is clear on who should fill in the vacancy in case of the incumbent dying. The accord stipulates that a former PF-Zapu member should fill in the vacancy and in this case Mpofu does not qualify.

“All comrades know that we are guided by the Unity Accord which stipulates the procedures and policies on filling this particular vacancy. For this particular post it is only for former PF-Zapu cadres, who have always been with the party,” he said.

Ndlovu added that the Unity Accord clearly indicated that it should not be tempered with and cannot be changed overnight.

Another former PF-Zapu cadre and Politburo member, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, said the procedures and criteria of selecting the person to fill in the vacancy were clearly spelt out in the Unity Accord and thus it was surprising that “some people” were ignoring that criteria.

Ndlovu said in 1987, former PF-Zapu members convened a congress to ratify the Unity Accord and they agreed that the unity was not to be tempered with.

“When PF-Zapu convened a congress in 1987 to ratify the Unity Accord we agreed that it was not to be tempered with no matter what. This, therefore, makes it clear that only former PF-Zapu cadres should be considered for the post.

“After independence Mpofu was not in PF-Zapu but was already in Zanu-PF. This, therefore, shows that he does not qualify for the post and this should be emphasised and made clear for everyone to know. We want someone who is resilient and consistent to take the post,” Ndlovu said.

Mpofu announced his readiness to assume the Vice Presidency if elected by the people. Mpofu is one of the four party cadres who have openly expressed their interest including Naison Ndlovu, Cain Mathema and Ambrose Mutinhiri.

Zanu-PF national chairman Cde John Nkomo has already been proposed as the candidate of choice by Bulawayo Province but has stayed away from commenting on the issue, saying there were procedures which guided the party in filling such posts.

The post of Vice President fell vacant in August following the death of Joseph Msika. TH