Stampede for Zanu-PF Women's League deputy secretary position

THERE is a reported stampeding for the Zanu-PF deputy secretary for women's affairs position with indications that First Lady Grace Mugabe would land the league's leadership after overwhelming support from all provinces.

At the Bulawayo provincial women's conference held at Davies Hall yesterday it was revealed that there were some members within the structure who were planting "weevils" and "selling out" the position.

Speaking at the conference, Zanu-PF politburo member Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo said such people would not enjoy the support of fellow members should they aspire for office.

Moyo, who is the incumbent deputy secretary for women's affairs leads Cdes Judith Ncube and Esnath Moyo to the women's league congress set for Harare on August 20 after they were elected unopposed.

Rose Phiri will join them after she beat Annah Moyo in a primary election.

Speaking after the elections, Moyo asked the meeting if they still wanted Bulawayo province to retain the position of deputy women's league secretary as there was jostling for the position.

"We haven't finished, we are still rising but there is something that you should know that it is you who hold the deputy secretary for women's affairs. Do you still want that position?

"When I was coming from Harare when we got the position, I said the position is not mine but yours. Today I maintain that it is our position, all of you here are going to Harare to defend it."

Moyo said there were some elements within the provincial structure who were "selling" out the position for reasons yet to be established.

"Let us guide each other and not get lost. If you get there show that you want the position. People want to stampede because there will be a big person taking the position. We hear there are some here who have been selling the position but some provinces do not want that," she said.

"Who is planting this weevil here? If the weevil is put by someone who wants to be voted in October, we will leave them here. We will not take them with us because they have shown that they are against us."

Bulawayo provincial women's league chairperson Eva Bitu said the conference had resolved among other things to endorse the First Lady for the secretary for women's league.

"The number one resolution that we announced public at the meeting was our endorsing of the First Lady for the position of secretary for women's affairs. Other resolutions were made at the districts and we are still compiling them. We anticipate that by Friday the compilation will be complete and then we will announce them," said Bitu.

Speaking after the elections, Zanu-PF Bulawayo deputy provincial chairperson Christopher Dube praised the women's league for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.

He said it was their wish that members select people in a respectful manner.

"You chose merit and not personalities. It is not proper to forget people after they have given you the mandate. The people should come first and we respect them because we won through them," said Dube.

He said members should aim for positions not to necessarily replace others but should come from and work for the people.