Callistus Ndlovu survives ouster

By Patrick Chitumba and Mashudu Netsianda

BULAWAYO – Professor Callistus Ndlovu has bounced back as Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial chairperson after the Politburo reversed a flawed no-confidence vote passed on him and his executive last week.

The Politburo also quashed a counter vote of no- confidence that Prof Ndlovu and his executive had passed on George Mlala and his colleagues for masterminding their ouster.

The announcement was made by the ruling party’s secretary for national security Sydney Sekeramayi during a special Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held at Davies Hall yesterday.

Sekeramayi said the Politburo reached its decision on Saturday after it noted that the two groups of executives had both forged signatures.

Sekeramayi said he had been sent by the Politburo to deliver the message.

“The status quo of Bulawayo province remains as it was before the no-confidence vote of November 17. What it means is that Professor Callistus Ndlovu remains the provincial chairperson,” he said.

Sekeramayi said the no-confidence vote passed on Mlala and others was also set aside.

After a vote of no-confidence had been passed on him and some of his executive members, Prof Ndlovu held an emergency executive meeting two days later and passed a counter vote of no-confidence on secretary for business development and liaison Cde Mlala; secretary for lands and resettlement Patson Parirenyatwa and deputy secretary for Science and Technology Nacisio Makhulumo accusing them of fraudulently securing signatures to oust them.

The group accused the Prof Ndlovu-led executive of fanning factionalism and abuse of party resources.

Sekeramayi said the National Disciplinary Committee noted with great concern that there were 14 names appearing on both petitions with different signatures.

“There were 14 names appearing on both petitions and they had different signatures so it was concluded some of the signatures were forged,” he said.

Sekeramayi said the province should put its house in order after the December elective Congress.

“Now we’re focusing on the Congress and if there are issues to be addressed, it will be after the congress,” said Sekeramayi.

Meanwhile, some Zanu-PF youths who attended yesterday’s meeting tried to boo Sekeramayi as he was delivering the Politburo report.

The youths chanted slogans denouncing Vice President Joice Mujuru.

“Phansi le Gamatox, pasi ne Gamatox,” they shouted.

The gamatox slogan was outlawed by the Politburo recently.

One of the youths, Maqhawe Mpofu rose to his feet and openly denounced Prof Ndlovu and his executive much to the chagrin of Sekeramayi and other Politburo members Dr Obert Mpofu, Cdes Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo and Absalom Sikhosana.

Mpofu was quick to rebuke the rowdy youths.

“Zanu-PF is a party of disciplined cadres. We’re delivering a message from the Politburo and if you don’t want to listen to us that means you’re disrespecting the President,” said Mpofu

Sekeramayi weighed in: “When you find people chanting slogans which were banned by the Politburo that reflects a degree of disrespect.” Chronicle