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Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu

Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
ZANU-PF politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu could be interested in the party’s national chairperson position as the race for the post hots up ahead of the party’s elective congress in December.
Dr Ndlovu could neither deny nor confirm interest yesterday with the veteran politician saying he will comment when the right time comes.
He said there was no need to rush to make announcements in the media over party processes.

Dr Ndlovu joins war veterans’ leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda and Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa who have already indicated interest in the post.

“I do not want to talk about party processes in the media. There are certain ways in which such things are handled so we will cross the bridge when we get there. I cannot make pronouncements now before the party has said anything on the matter.

“I do not want to comment on that. I will comment when the right time comes, I will let you know,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“In PF Zapu with Joshua Nkomo, we never advertised for positions. We were told by the people that they wanted us to serve. I was a cabinet minister, I never advertised for it, I went to the war, I never advertised for it.”

Cde Sibanda last week said the decision for him to land the chairmanship post would come from the people and leaders should not impose themselves.
There has been raging debate on the eligibility to contest the national chairperson post with some members saying it should be reserved for former PF Zapu members while some argue that it should be open to everyone.

Former PF Zapu secretary general and Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Cephas Msipa is on record as saying he believed the position should be reserved for former PF Zapu members.

Dr Ndlovu shares similar sentiments.
Zanu-PF politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo at the weekend said the 1987 National Unity Accord does not reserve the Zanu-PF National Chairmanship for a former PF Zapu member in as much as the President’s post is not solely for ex-Zanu stalwarts.

Prof Moyo said the Unity Accord did not cater for transient personal ambitions adding that while the President’s post was similarly not reserved, it was “folly” to think President Mugabe would be unseated at congress as the electorate had just given him an overwhelming mandate to lead Zimbabwe until 2018.

Prof Moyo said late national heroes Cdes Joseph Msika and Landa John Nkomo rose to national chair, and later to VP, on merit not because they were ex-PF Zapu.