Ndlovu faces new ouster threat Prof Callistus Ndlovu
Prof Callistus Ndlovu

Prof Callistus Ndlovu

Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
ZANU-PF’s Bulawayo provincial executive was hit with fresh instability yesterday following a renewed push to kick out current chair, Prof Callistus Ndlovu.

The youth and women’s wings yesterday gave Prof Ndlovu an ultimatum to vacate office by end of business today or face unspecified action after passing a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

The latest vote of no confidence is only targeted at Prof Ndovu after an earlier plot against him and five members of his executive was reversed by the Politburo.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Davies Hall yesterday, Zanu-PF’s Bulawayo provincial youth chairperson Cde Khumbulani Mpofu said Prof Ndlovu was working with a faction led by Vice President Joice Mujuru, which is accused of plotting to unseat President Robert Mugabe.

He said the youth league respected the Politburo’s decision to send Cdes Obert Mpofu and Sydney Sekeramayi with a message to maintain the status quo pending investigations on the authenticity of the previous vote of no confidence, but had decided to take action against the provincial chairman as he was facing serious allegations.

“This is premised on the principle that the Bulawayo youth league cannot be seen, under any circumstance, being associated with perpetrators of an auxiliary force thereof, of such plots against our First Secretary and family let alone individuals fanning factionalism,” said Cde Mpofu.

He said the youth league was recommending that the Provincial Executive Council takes action on the allegations levelled against the chairperson.

He said Prof Ndlovu disrespected President Mugabe and the First Lady by conspiring against the wishes of the youths and women’s wings.

Prof Ndlovu was also accused of failing to act in defence of members who were accused of annexing Mazwi farm leading a magistrate to jail two party youths for a year for criminal trespass and deforestation.

He also said Prof Ndlovu had insinuated that it was normal for ruling parties to lose elections in urban areas. He was also accused of misleading the First Lady during her Bulawayo rally by saying there was no factionalism in the province.

The youths resolved to give Prof Ndlovu, “an ultimatum to vacate the office by end of working day Friday November 28, 2014… failure to which, the youth league will instigate and implement unspecified measures to ensure that this will be achieved.”

The youth wing reiterated their endorsement of President Mugabe as first secretary and president of Zanu-PF ahead of next week’s Congress and the First Lady as the incoming secretary for women’s affairs.

They also recommended that President Mugabe appoints his two deputies and national chairperson for the party to curb factionalism.

Zanu-PF provincial women’s league chairperson Cde Eva Bitu said the wing was against statements made by Prof Ndlovu to the media after the First Lady’s Bulawayo rally.

Central Committee member Cde Rose Phiri cited stories carried in the private media suggesting that the First Lady was “lost” after she said there was factionalism in Bulawayo.

She said factionalism was the reason why Zanu-PF lost in previous elections as some people are Zanu-PF by day and Zapu by night.

Cde Boniface Mutsvuru said Prof Ndlovu rejected buses that had the First Lady’s image when she came for her rally in Bulawayo while Cde Leo Nyoni said the party cannot continue being led by someone who made unilateral decisions and did not carry the aspirations of the party.

Provincial youth secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment Cde Davis Mhambi said they would block Prof Ndlovu from attending the party’s national Congress as he was part of a group working against President Mugabe.

Central Committee members Cdes Killian Sibanda, Godfrey Malaba and Joseph Tshuma, without mentioning names, condemned party officials making insulting statements against the First Family.

They were unanimous that such officials should be smoked out of the party.

Speaking from Harare, provincial deputy secretary for business development and liaison Cde George Mlala called on Prof Ndlovu to resign immediately if he was a self-respecting person or face embarrassment.

Efforts to get a comment from Prof Ndlovu were fruitless.

Eight of Zanu-PF’s 10 provincial chairpersons have been kicked out over allegations of causing factionalism and seeking to oust President Mugabe. Only Prof Ndlovu and Matabeleland North’s Richard Moyo have so far survived the purge.

 

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