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Cde Phelekezela Mphoko

Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
THE race for the second vice-president’s post is hotting up with one of the aspirants Cde Phelekezela Mphoko on Saturday rallying party supporters to back his bid ahead of the Zanu-PF elective congress in December.
Cde Mphoko however, yesterday said the meeting held at Matobo Sailing Club from 10am to 3pm was a birthday party for his son.
“Who told you that? You were lied to, that was my son’s 26th birthday party,” he said.

However, party members who attended the meeting said about 60 people including some members of the Bulawayo provincial executive and youths were in attendance.

Four kombis, according to party sources, were hired to ferry people to the joint run by the family of Zanu-PF provincial member, Cde Charles Chiponda.
The meeting was attended by some members of the Bulawayo provincial executive and former provincial chairperson Cde Isaac Dakamela, among others.

“Cde Mphoko was campaigning asking that we rally behind him in his bid,” said a party member who attended the meeting.
“Cde Mphoko was introduced to the people by war veteran Cde George Mlala. Cde Mlala said Cde Mphoko was still Ambassador to Russia when the successor to Cde Joseph Msika was selected in 2009.  He was meant to be made party national chairman following requests from late Vice-President John Nkomo and Retired General Solomon Mujuru but President Mugabe still wanted Cde Mphoko to serve the country as a diplomat.”

In the meeting Cde Mphoko reportedly said he had no money to offer any of his backers.
“He said he was against giving people money but would rather assist them with jobs and other opportunities as he felt that dolling out money would not be helpful to anyone as people would always come back asking for more,” said a party official who attended the meeting.

“He said he wanted to run a clean campaign that will not involve bad mouthing anyone but convincing people. Cde Mphoko said of the surviving Zipra commanders, it was him and Cde Ambrose Mutinhiri hence he was senior enough to contest the post.”

Cde Mphoko’s campaign means that the planned move by Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu to convince fellow contenders for the vice presidency to abandon their interests was likely to hit a brick wall.

Cde Ndlovu told Chronicle last week that he had started campaigning for the position that included convincing fellow contenders to back down.
Other aspirants are Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, considered the front runner and Home Affairs Minister Cde Kembo Mohadi.
Former Zipra chief of staff Cde Mutinhiri said he was still consulting on whether or not to contest the post.

Three contenders have so far indicated interest in taking up the post of the party’s national chairperson.
Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Cde Didymus Mutasa, fellow politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and national war veterans chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda have all indicated interest in the chairmanship, but were quick to say the decision lay with the people at the congress.