Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF Masvingo Province will soon hold a crisis meeting over the nomination of two vice-presidents and national chairperson after the provincial chairperson Cde Callisto Gwanetsa torched a storm over the weekend concerning the province’s alleged preferred candidates.
Cde Gwanetsa, a retired brigadier-general, announced last Saturday that the province was backing Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo for the second vice-president’s post while party secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa was said to be the province’s preferred national chairperson candidate.

The move was however, criticised by Politburo members from the province.
They distanced themselves from the announcement and accused Cde Gwanetsa of furthering factional interests.
Three Zanu-PF Matabeleland provinces also accused their Masvingo counterparts of jumping the gun by making nominations before the issuance of a party circular advising them to do so.

Cde Gwanetsa, apparently recoiling from his controversial weekend declaration, yesterday told Chronicle that the province would hold a meeting in due course to discuss the matter.

“I do not want to comment now. We will hold a meeting on that and then we will notify you. I’m not a faction member, I am a war veteran,” he said without giving a specific date for the meeting.

President Mugabe will be unopposed at the party’s elective congress in December.
Reacting to Cde Gwanetsa’s announcement on the other posts, provincial chairpersons from the Matabeleland region said the party had not yet issued a directive to start nominations.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo said they were still waiting for authorisation to select candidates.
Bulawayo party provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu said he was not aware in what capacity Cde Gwanetsa was making the announcements.

He said they were yet to meet as a province over the nomination of preferred candidates.
Matabeleland South chairman Cde Andrew Langa said they were not ready to comment on the posts as they have not been authorised to do so.

He said although he could not comment on the contentious posts, he wanted to assure the nation that his province was behind the leadership of President Mugabe.

Cde Langa added that his province would back the elevation of Cde Khaya Moyo to the second Vice Presidency post.
Cde Gwanetsa’s announcement also riled senior party members from Masvingo, Cdes Josiah Hungwe and Shuvai Mahofa who said the decision was made without consultation.

Cde Hungwe said the province was yet to meet over the matter, adding that they were surprised to read Cde Gwanetsa’s announcement in the Press. He said Cde Gwanetsa’s was expressing his personal views.

Cde Mahofa said Cde Gwanetsa should not speak on behalf of the province on a decision that he made on his own in a bid to promote his alleged “narrow” interests.

 

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