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CDE ANDREW LANGA

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
ZANU-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Cde Andrew Langa yesterday defended Politburo member Cde Abedinico Ncube’s bold support for national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo to land the vice-presidency in the December elective congress saying he also shares the same sentiments.

Cde Ncube torched a storm last weekend when he said Matabeleland South was behind Cde Khaya Moyo’s candidature prompting accusations from some senior party members in the province who accused him of “jumping the gun”.

Cde Langa told Chronicle on the sidelines of a provincial coordinating committee meeting in Gwanda that his province was confident the former ambassador to South Africa would land the coveted VP post.

“Although we have not been asked to do so, we stand ready as a province to endorse His Excellency as our First candidate. We also stand ready as a province to endorse Umama uMujuru as the vice president.

“We are also certain that the Senior Minister of State, Ambassador Moyo, will be elevated to be our next second vice president,” said Cde Langa.

“We are all clear and there is no debate on that.”

Several ex-Zipra cadres have expressed divergent views over the VP issue with some saying the post was reserved for the senior former PF-Zapu member in Zanu while others say the race was open for all.

The VP post was left vacant in January last year at the death of Cde Landa John Nkomo.

Outgoing Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa Cde Phelekezela Mphoko and Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri have expressed interest and are set to battle it out with Cde Khaya Moyo.

The meeting was part of preparations for next month’s Youth and Women’s leagues conferences.

During the meeting, party members discussed a circular from the national headquarters with guidelines on candidates’ selection.

“I’m sure the circulars were well read and everyone understood. As we leave Gwanda today, we are going to be preparing for the provincial conferences of the Youth and Women’s leagues to be held here in Gwanda on August 2,” said Cde Langa.

Accreditation of delegates for the Youth and Women’s leagues conferences has already started in Matabeleland South as the team responsible was in Plumtree on Saturday and will be in Gwanda today before going to Beitbridge on Wednesday.

Cde Langa urged party members to remain united and not allow the quest for positions to ruin party integrity.