Zanu PF nearly dug Gono’s grave

Never Kadungure

Zanu PF bigwigs have moved in swiftly to avert what would have been certain political suicide by blocking the co-option of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono as provincial secretary for finance in Manicaland.

A fortnight ago the Zanu PF Manicaland Province unanimously voted to absorb Gono into their structures. He was elected provincial secretary for finance at a meeting held in Mutare on November 14.

This move however would have simply given ammunition to the MDC in their argument that Gono’s appointment by Mugabe was not only unilateral but the governor was a compromised figure heavily aligned to Zanu PF.

The state media kicked into gear trying to sanitize the whole affair.

Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial executive chairman, Basil Nyabadza was quoted saying, ‘we have since been advised that the governor is not available at this juncture to serve us as a province due to his enormous commitments at the national level.’

“This is in addition to the advice that the governor of the country’s central bank ought to and shall remain apolitical in the manner he carries out his duties to the nation,” he said.

Nyabadza added that the Manicaland Province was disappointed by the decision to rescind its position.

The MDC meanwhile insist Gono’s continued tenure at the helm of the central bank is an impediment to national growth as donors are reluctant to pour money into a system led by a crook.