News / National
Prof Jonathan Moyo singles out Newsday
15 Nov 2013 at 14:37hrs | Views
The Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services has dismissed reports carried in the independent press, particularly the Newsday of 15 November 2013, regarding the results of the Zanu PF elections for the provincial executive in Mashonaland Central.
In a statement, Minister Jonathan Moyo said he had noted with grave concern reports carried by the publication to the effect that Rugare Gumbo, Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, on Thursday challenged and contradicted an instruction given by President Robert Mugabe to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, George Charamba, to advise the media about the status of the election result.
"Because the instruction was given to Charamba, who is also the Presidential Spokesperson, the Ministry has been inundated with media inquiries on the matter. Charamba has not been able to attend to the inquiries as he is away accompanying the President on his official visit in Asia. For this reason, it is necessary for the Ministry to clarify the matter.
"In the first place, the Ministry is unable to confirm that the unfortunate and insubordinate statement attributed to Gumbo by Newsday is in fact accurate. However, and for the record, the President's directive as conveyed through Charamba and reported by yesterday's Herald (Thursday November 14, 2013) is the correct and only official position regarding the status of the results of the Zanu PF elections for the Provincial Executive in Mashonaland Central.
"As such, and for the avoidance of doubt, the only position that still stands on the matter in question is what Charamba told the media as reported by the Herald yesterday, as follows 'Tell the media that I (The President) have told you, (Charamba) that the Politburo has not as yet received results from Mashonaland Central province. Equally, the Politburo is still to receive a report which accompanies the same. It is only when the Politburo has been favoured with both the results and the accompanying report that it will then be in a position to study both before taking a decision.'
"This is the official position as directed by the President and it has not changed."
In a statement, Minister Jonathan Moyo said he had noted with grave concern reports carried by the publication to the effect that Rugare Gumbo, Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, on Thursday challenged and contradicted an instruction given by President Robert Mugabe to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, George Charamba, to advise the media about the status of the election result.
"Because the instruction was given to Charamba, who is also the Presidential Spokesperson, the Ministry has been inundated with media inquiries on the matter. Charamba has not been able to attend to the inquiries as he is away accompanying the President on his official visit in Asia. For this reason, it is necessary for the Ministry to clarify the matter.
"In the first place, the Ministry is unable to confirm that the unfortunate and insubordinate statement attributed to Gumbo by Newsday is in fact accurate. However, and for the record, the President's directive as conveyed through Charamba and reported by yesterday's Herald (Thursday November 14, 2013) is the correct and only official position regarding the status of the results of the Zanu PF elections for the Provincial Executive in Mashonaland Central.
"As such, and for the avoidance of doubt, the only position that still stands on the matter in question is what Charamba told the media as reported by the Herald yesterday, as follows 'Tell the media that I (The President) have told you, (Charamba) that the Politburo has not as yet received results from Mashonaland Central province. Equally, the Politburo is still to receive a report which accompanies the same. It is only when the Politburo has been favoured with both the results and the accompanying report that it will then be in a position to study both before taking a decision.'
"This is the official position as directed by the President and it has not changed."
Source - zbc
