News / National
Gono's senatorial issue clarified
07 Feb 2014 at 10:04hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Rita Makarau says she is waiting for Zanu-PF to submit a name of the person to fill the late Kumbirai Kangai's senatorial seat after it emerged former Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, already chosen by the party to take over the vacant position, has actually transferred himself as a voter from Harare to Buhera West.
Makarau, protesting that she was misquoted by the Herald on Wednesday which claimed she said Gono has to apply for the transfer with Zec instead of the Registrar-General (RG)'s Office after the new constitution conferred such powers on the electoral body, said the correct position is that she is only waiting for a Zanu-PF directive to confirm Gono as a new senator.
"We are waiting for Zanu-PF to give a directive to us. We do not select a candidate on their behalf, but they present a candidate of their choice to us," Makarau said.
"When the new constitution is in place, whoever is selected by the party will be sworn in as a senator."
The Herald had claimed Zec and the RG's Office had left Gono in limbo over the senatorial seat. However, Makarau said there was no vacuum created by the expiry of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act because once the new constitution is in place Gono can be sworn in.
Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa said the delay in filling the vacancy does not mean there was a problem with the candidates.
"The delay is not because Zanu-PF has no candidate. We will stick to the politburo decision that former Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono remains our choice," Mutasa said.
The Zanu-PF faction said to be led by Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly against Gono being appointed senator, while Vice-President Joice Mujuru's camp wants him in. President Robert Mugabe is said to supportive of the plan which has created ructions in the party, hence hostility, partly manifested through state media reports, mainly from the Mnangagwa group.
Documents seen by the Zimbabwe Independent show Gono transferred from Harare to Buhera West on December 5 2013, before the expiry of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act under which the general elections were held.
Makarau, protesting that she was misquoted by the Herald on Wednesday which claimed she said Gono has to apply for the transfer with Zec instead of the Registrar-General (RG)'s Office after the new constitution conferred such powers on the electoral body, said the correct position is that she is only waiting for a Zanu-PF directive to confirm Gono as a new senator.
"We are waiting for Zanu-PF to give a directive to us. We do not select a candidate on their behalf, but they present a candidate of their choice to us," Makarau said.
"When the new constitution is in place, whoever is selected by the party will be sworn in as a senator."
The Herald had claimed Zec and the RG's Office had left Gono in limbo over the senatorial seat. However, Makarau said there was no vacuum created by the expiry of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act because once the new constitution is in place Gono can be sworn in.
Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa said the delay in filling the vacancy does not mean there was a problem with the candidates.
"The delay is not because Zanu-PF has no candidate. We will stick to the politburo decision that former Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono remains our choice," Mutasa said.
The Zanu-PF faction said to be led by Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly against Gono being appointed senator, while Vice-President Joice Mujuru's camp wants him in. President Robert Mugabe is said to supportive of the plan which has created ructions in the party, hence hostility, partly manifested through state media reports, mainly from the Mnangagwa group.
Documents seen by the Zimbabwe Independent show Gono transferred from Harare to Buhera West on December 5 2013, before the expiry of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act under which the general elections were held.
Source - dailynews
