Zanu PF wants Mugabe to deliver Nkomo lecture first

Zanu PF blocked the launch of the Joshua Nkomo Lecture Series last Friday because they want President Robert to deliver the inaugural lecture.

Former Industry and International Trade minister Nkosana Moyo had been schedule to deliver the opening lecture at the National University of Science and Technology.

But the event which was meant to coincide with the 13th anniversary of Nkomo's death was cancelled at the 11th hour under a cloud.

Zanu PF insiders said some senior Zanu PF officials were not happy that Moyo had been invited to inaugurate the series. Mugabe is now likely to officially launch the lectures this month or in August, the sources said.

"There was a feeling within the senior party leadership that President Mugabe should be the first to deliver the lecture and the rest would follow," the source said.

"The lecture might be held in July or August when the President will preside."

Environment and Natural Resource Management minister Francis Nhema who is the chairperson of the Joshua Nkomo Foundation said it had always been the board's position that Mugabe would officiate as the main speaker at such an event and this would go along with other things like the unveiling of the Nkomo statue.

"I was out of the country and I think there was some confusion on that, but (Nkomo's daughter) Thandi (Nkomo-Ibrahim) was handling it and she told me that there were still some logistics to be completed," he said.

Nhema said apart from Mugabe as guest of honour, there would be other speakers and it was a matter of setting the date suitable for Mugabe to attend. Another Zanu PF politburo member, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, only said he could not comment on the matter.