News / National
Zanu-PF bigwigs warned
27 Aug 2014 at 08:36hrs | Views
A SENIOR Zanu-PF official in Matabeleland South has urged former-PF Zapu leaders to shun factionalism that is threatening to tear the ruling Zanu-PF party apart and focus only on backing President Robert Mugabe.
Jabulani Phetshu Sibanda, a war veteran and member of the Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial executive, told Southern Eye that it would be embarrassing for ex-Zipra cadrés to get embroiled in factional politics aimed at succeeding Mugabe.
"When our leader, the late (Vice-President) Joshua Nkomo went into unity with Mugabe, he did so without taking any sides.
"When he died, he left us with only one leader — Mugabe," said Sibanda.
"It would be a shame for ex-Zipra members to be seen involved in factional fights in Zanu-PF."
Phetshu said factionalism had perpetuated the suffering of the Matabeleland region as developmental issues affecting the region were overshadowed by factional fights.
"The leaders from the region are aware of the problems affecting us, but focus is now on occupying posts," he said.
"The December congress will come and go, but the problems of the collapse of industries and lack of employment will still be there."
Zanu-PF chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo is heavily tipped to be elevated to the vice-presidency, but ex-Zipra commander Ambrose Mutinhiri, former Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa, Phelekezela Mphoko, and Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi have also declared interest in the post.
In terms of the Unity Accord of 1987, which resulted in the merger of-PF Zapu and Zanu-PF, one of the two vice-presidents should be a former Zapu member while there has been debate on the national chairperson's position.
Since the accord, the chairmanship has been held by former Zapu members, but Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa has expressed interest in the post arguing that the position was never reserved for former Zapu members.
Sibanda said ex-Zipra members that defected long before the signing of the Unity Accord were not trusted by original Zanu-PF members.
"In politics, no one trusts defectors. They will always be viewed with suspicion, so when original Zanu-PF members discuss their internal issues, the Zapu defectors are not invited and that is the same with ex-Zapu members," he said.
"The defectors are left out in the cold, but what I am saying is they should retreat and take part in ex-Zapu meetings even though we won't accord them any voting rights. Their input would be valuable though."
Zanu-PF would hold its elective congress in December and the posts of two vice-president and chairperson would be contested.
Jabulani Phetshu Sibanda, a war veteran and member of the Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial executive, told Southern Eye that it would be embarrassing for ex-Zipra cadrés to get embroiled in factional politics aimed at succeeding Mugabe.
"When our leader, the late (Vice-President) Joshua Nkomo went into unity with Mugabe, he did so without taking any sides.
"When he died, he left us with only one leader — Mugabe," said Sibanda.
"It would be a shame for ex-Zipra members to be seen involved in factional fights in Zanu-PF."
Phetshu said factionalism had perpetuated the suffering of the Matabeleland region as developmental issues affecting the region were overshadowed by factional fights.
"The leaders from the region are aware of the problems affecting us, but focus is now on occupying posts," he said.
"The December congress will come and go, but the problems of the collapse of industries and lack of employment will still be there."
Zanu-PF chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo is heavily tipped to be elevated to the vice-presidency, but ex-Zipra commander Ambrose Mutinhiri, former Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa, Phelekezela Mphoko, and Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi have also declared interest in the post.
In terms of the Unity Accord of 1987, which resulted in the merger of-PF Zapu and Zanu-PF, one of the two vice-presidents should be a former Zapu member while there has been debate on the national chairperson's position.
Since the accord, the chairmanship has been held by former Zapu members, but Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa has expressed interest in the post arguing that the position was never reserved for former Zapu members.
Sibanda said ex-Zipra members that defected long before the signing of the Unity Accord were not trusted by original Zanu-PF members.
"In politics, no one trusts defectors. They will always be viewed with suspicion, so when original Zanu-PF members discuss their internal issues, the Zapu defectors are not invited and that is the same with ex-Zapu members," he said.
"The defectors are left out in the cold, but what I am saying is they should retreat and take part in ex-Zapu meetings even though we won't accord them any voting rights. Their input would be valuable though."
Zanu-PF would hold its elective congress in December and the posts of two vice-president and chairperson would be contested.
Source - Southern Eye
