Zanu-PF provincial chair makes a U-turn on Mutasa national chair backing

Zanu-PF provincial chair for Masvingo Killian Gwanetsa has made a U-turn over his weekend declaration that secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa be elevated to the post of national chairperson, saying these were his personal views.

Gwanetsa on Sunday ruffled feathers when he announced that his province was backing the ascendency of Mutasa to the post of national chair while the current national chair, Simon Khaya Moyo, should be elevated to the post of second party deputy president.

In an interview with The Zimbabwe Mail on Tuesday, Gwanetsa said he made the announcements without the backing of the provincial executive.

"It is my thought as an individual, why are people angry with what I said. I spoke as general Gwanetsa in Masvingo," he said.

Gwanetsa's sentiments triggered discomfort among ex-PF Zapu and top politicians from the  Matabeleland region who want the precedence that was set at the inception of the unity accord maintained.

"I spoke as an individual, expressing what I think the province should do. We haven't met as the provincial leadership to determine and discuss on that matter," he said.

Mutasa has declared his interest in the post of Zanu-PF chairperson and is likely to face some stiff challenge from Ex-Zapu members who say it is traditionally their preserve following the 1987 accord.

When the unity accord was signed Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo was accorded the second vice presidency while Joseph Msika was made national chair of the united Zanu-PF.

After the death of Nkomo in 1999, Msika rose to the post of vice president while John Nkomo was elevated to the post of national chair, and subsequently to the post of vice president when Msika died in 2008.

Moyo took over from Nkomo in 2009 as national chair and is now set to rise to the post of vice president following the latter's death last year.

Politicians and war veterans from the Matabeleland region have said Moyo should be elevated to the post of vice president, and that a candidate from the region be appointed national chair of the party.