Jostling for John Nkomo's position intensifies in Zanu-PF

All is not well in Zanu-PF after the death of Nkomo amid reports that jostling for his position has already begun hardly a week after he was buried.

It has emerged two different factions would today hold conflicting events in Bulawayo. Some politburo, national council and other senior party members were saying they would be at Nkomo's Worringham home in honour of the late VP.

Zanu-PF secretary for Education, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu yesterday confirmed that the political leadership in Bulawayo had heard that some senior party members would be holding a rally at Stanley Square which was organised without their knowledge and approval.

He said Zanu-PF leadership would boycott the rally.

"We are however shocked to hear that the rally is going ahead, something we feel is disrespectful and is an insult to us and our culture which prohibits merry-making soon after a burial. We are not attending that rally," he said.

Ndlovu said the Zanu-PF national commissar Webster Shamu had been requested to cancel the rally.

"We heard that Shamu, Obert Mpofu [Mines minister] and Saviour Kasukuwere [Indigenisation minster] are coming to the rally," said Ndlovu."

"We feel this is an early campaign for the succession of Nkomo while the whole of Bulawayo is still mourning," he said.

"We are wondering what they are rushing for? We just buried our VP and people are already running around with rallies. They are coming all the way to rule here in Bulawayo when we the local leadership are here."

Kasukuwere yesterday said the fact that Nkomo was recently buried should not be a problem.

"Who did you speak to from Bulawayo? I do not know anything about the cancellation," he said.