By Dumisani Sibanda
Senior politicians from Matabeleland should stop frustrating the imminent elevation of Zanu-PF national chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo to vice-president and concentrate on retaining the chairmanship in the event he is promoted, outspoken war veteran Max Mkandla said on Monday.
In an interview, Mkandla said former Zipra commanders like Phelekezela Mphoko and Ambrose Mutinhiri should stop “jostling” for the vice-president’s post and allow the precedent that has been set to take its course.
The VP post fell vacant last year after the death of John Nkomo who, prior to his elevation, was the party’s national chairperson.
“We already have a set precedent, Moyo as national chairperson from the Zapu side should be elevated to vice president, and there is really no question about that. And then one of the politicians, whether former Zapu or from the Matabeleland region, should be standing up and campaigning for the national chairperson’s post. This unnecessary fighting over the vice-president’s post will cost us the national chairmanship. As you can see, people like Zanu PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, sebetshaya ivigoroni (are now trying to claim the position) with Masvingo province talking about nominating him. But of course, the Masvingo’s position is the joke of the day. ”
Mkandla said Mutasa was threatening the Unity Accord by trying to claim the party’s national chairmanship hence politicians from the region should stop his manouvres.
“Let us concentrate on the national chairmanship. There are many people from this region who can take up that post, including war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and minister Obert Mpofu. At least Mpofu has demonstrated his quest to represent the region. Remember he recently insisted on speaking in Ndebele in parliament in response to a question in Shona.
Meanwhile, former PF- Zapu secretary-general Cephas Msipa has said the position of vice president is one that is covered by the Unity Accord and the agreement is silent on the position of national chairperson.
“If the position is not just for former PF-Zapu then keep it in the region instead of allowing Mutasa to take it from us,” said Mkandla.
Former senior PF-Zapu, officials in Zanu PF met at a meeting in Gweru in September last year chaired by Msipa where it was agreed that current Zanu PF chairperson Moyo should be elevated to vice-president.
The issue of the name of the candidate for national chairmanship was left open, with Msipa requesting that the precedent of a former PF Zapu official assuming the position be maintained.
But what has disturbed some of these officials is Moyo’s “silence” on the manouvres by Mutasa to be national chairperson.
“Moyo should publicly chide Mutasa on this,” said a source within Zanu PF close to the matter. “Otherwise people will think there has been some horse trading on factional lines as they are allegedly in the same camp.”
Zanu PF is scheduled to hold its elective congress in December. The Zimbabwe Mail
