Will Khaya Moyo deliver?

"I am guided by the party's manifesto. I cannot talk of the development agenda for Matabeleland because I work under party structures." Khaya-Moyo.

SHOULD Senior Minister of State and Senator for Bulilima-Mangwe Simon Khaya Moyo ascend to the top of the political radar as Vice President during the Zanu PF water-shed congress in December this year, pressure would be on him to justify ZANU-PF's presence in Matabeleland, his province of origin.

Expectations would likely be higher in his home area of Bulilima -Mangwe where he is the incumbent senator following his party's victory in Matabeleland South province in last year's harmonised elections.

Khaya Moyo who is Zanu PF's national chairman is currently ranked third after President Robert Mugabe and his deputy Joice Mujuru and is tipped as a front-runner in the country's second top-post which he is almost certain to clinch because of his seniority in the party.

The post has been vacant since last year following the death of Vice President John Nkomo.

Should Khaya-Moyo ascend to the post of VP all eyes will be on him in Matabeleland where he is expected to tackle developmental issues that his Zanu PF party has neglected since independence.

A former Parliamentary representative for the then Bulilimangwe, Cabinet Minister and diplomat, Khaya-Moyo has no solid personal achievements to justify his leadership charisma in the region.

However, his political resume was bolstered by the role he played in drumming up support for ZANU-PF's victory in last year elections which his party won albeit under controversy.

Khaya Moyo's failure in the region has been attributed to his "national politics" approach which has seen his home province being the least in terms of development and it remains to be seen whether he will deliver should he be elevated to deputy president of the country.

Civil society and community leaders have mixed feelings to whether Khaya Moyo will deliver or not.

An official for Plumtree Residents Association (PRA) who declined to be named predicted that Khaya-Moyo might deliver because of pressure which has been subjected to his party by the presence of MDC in the region.

"I think this time they might deliver because they have learnt hard lessons from opposition parties in the region," said the official.

However, Bishop Ambrose Nkombeledzi a Mangwe-based opinion leader thinks Khaya Moyo will not do anything for the area.

"I don't think he will do anything for the region. His party has been in power for 34 years and has failed the region. What difference will he bring if he becomes vice president?"

Another opinion leader from Bulilima, Helfer Nkomo shared the same sentiments:
"I don't think they will be any change. Since independence our areas have been underdeveloped. I don't see any change even if he (Khaya-Moyo) is elevated to VP," he said.

But Director of Plumtree based Kulani Trust Youth Organisation; Ntandoyenkosi Dumani thinks Khaya Moyo will deliver.

"Tracking his record as Minister of Transport I think he can deliver something as he improved some roads in the area but now he will have to work on health facilities and food relief programmes," he said.

During his tenure as Minister of Transport and MP for Bulilimamangwe, Khaya Moyo initiated the tarring of Plumtree-Mphoengs boarder post road but the project is in limbo to date.

Thomas Sithole, Director of Plumtree Development Trust believes that Khaya Moyo will be able to influence his party to bring change to the region.

"I think he will push for development related interventions given the fact that Bulilimamangwe is facing challenges in terms of health facilities and schools," he said.

But in an interview, Khaya Moyo deflected questions asked and could not say whether his focus would be on the region arguing that he is guided by the party's manifesto.

"I am guided by the party's manifesto. I cannot talk of the development agenda for Matabeleland because I work under party structures, Khaya-Moyo said.

"Besides we have moved around all provinces and we know priorities for each province, adding "I know what people in Bulilima Mangwe want."  

Asked about his possible chances of being elevated to the VP post he said: "I cannot say anything about that."
Khaya Moyo also said he knew what people in his Bulilima Mangwe wanted.