News / National
Dr Bekithemba Mpofu set to replace Bennett
17 Apr 2011 at 10:05hrs | Views
According to reports in Zimbabwe, the Tsvangirai led MDC are set to drop Roy Bennett as a Senator next week. The non-constituency senator has failed to attend 21 consecutive sittings, the maximum allowed by law.
Last year the former Chimanimani Member of Parliament was acquitted on banditry, sabotage and insurgency charges. It is understood the police are still keen to question him regarding further allegations.
In 2009, emerging from jail, Bennett was quoted describing his jail experience as traumatic adding; "I would not wish it on my worst enemy."
The potential of further arrest has undoubtedly influenced him to remain in exile and in the process forfeiting the Senator post and inevitably his role as the Treasurer General of the MDC-T.
Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T spokesman was quoted in The Standard confirming that his party are in the process of replacing Bennett as a Senator.
"The next step would be taken in consultation with the other principal, Mugabe, with the MDC-T informing him on who it wants to replace Bennett. As you know, it's a non-constituency post." He said.
This new development is set to pave the way for Dr Bekithemba Mpofu who is widely tipped to replace Bennett as the party Treasurer General. Mpofu, the founding youth secretary general is said to be Matabeleland region nominee for the post.
The Matabeleland provinces are believed to be keen on the position to ensure an equitable distribution of senior posts in the party which they argue won the united MDC support in the region.
Currently the party is accused of making leaders in Matabeleland junior partners and deputies particularly after failing to appoint a respectable number of cabinet ministers from the region.
The next congress is expected to set the tone for election campaigns in the region due to the prospect of Professor Welshman Ncube becoming a presidential candidate.
When contacted for comment, Dr Mpofu could not confirm if he is campaigning for the Treasurer General position. "I will serve in any position that l am nominated and elected by the party structures," he said.
Last year the former Chimanimani Member of Parliament was acquitted on banditry, sabotage and insurgency charges. It is understood the police are still keen to question him regarding further allegations.
In 2009, emerging from jail, Bennett was quoted describing his jail experience as traumatic adding; "I would not wish it on my worst enemy."
The potential of further arrest has undoubtedly influenced him to remain in exile and in the process forfeiting the Senator post and inevitably his role as the Treasurer General of the MDC-T.
Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T spokesman was quoted in The Standard confirming that his party are in the process of replacing Bennett as a Senator.
This new development is set to pave the way for Dr Bekithemba Mpofu who is widely tipped to replace Bennett as the party Treasurer General. Mpofu, the founding youth secretary general is said to be Matabeleland region nominee for the post.
The Matabeleland provinces are believed to be keen on the position to ensure an equitable distribution of senior posts in the party which they argue won the united MDC support in the region.
Currently the party is accused of making leaders in Matabeleland junior partners and deputies particularly after failing to appoint a respectable number of cabinet ministers from the region.
The next congress is expected to set the tone for election campaigns in the region due to the prospect of Professor Welshman Ncube becoming a presidential candidate.
When contacted for comment, Dr Mpofu could not confirm if he is campaigning for the Treasurer General position. "I will serve in any position that l am nominated and elected by the party structures," he said.
Source - Byo24News
