Gono ready to take over

Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Dr Gideon Gono yesterday said he was ready to lead the people of Buhera once all the relevant procedures to facilitate his elevation to the Senate were complete.

Speaking at the first anniversary of the death of National Hero Kumbirai Kangai in Glen Forest, Harare, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa also backed Dr Gono for the Senatorial post while party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo bemoaned the "lack of respect", which, he said, was cropping up within the revolutionary party.

Dr Gono, who opened up for the first time on his imminent entry into the Legislature to replace Kangai as Buhera Senator, called for unity within Zanu-PF.

"I did not come here as a member of a certain faction. Hapana mafactions pano. VaGono havasi vefaction.
"I have been longing to speak publicly; the last time I spoke publicly was when I was still the RBZ governor and I want to emphasise that I belong only to President Mugabe's faction and Zanu-PF political party in its totality.

"Hatina kuuya pano tichiti uyu ndeuyu achazorwisa uyu; ngatiite zvinhu zvinovaka," said Dr Gono, whose term at the Central Bank expired last November.

Regarding the Senatorial seat, Dr Gono openly expressed his desire to lead the people of Buhera, but said he would respect party protocol by waiting for all the necessary procedures.

"It is not yet ripe for me to become your leader, let us wait for all the necessary procedures to be completed. We need to follow the party protocol until such a time the party leadership confirms me.

"Everyone concerned is working judiciously to ensure that no shortcuts are taken. You see, you cannot ask for democracy, transparency and accountability then seek to circumvent procedures that guarantee those fundamentals.

"Procedures have to be followed and those of us aspiring to be lawmakers must demonstrate patience with systems and bureaucracies that give us credibility at the end of the day. I have patience to wait till a month before next elections if that is how long it will take to do the right thing and get me confirmed," said Dr Gono.

Mutasa threw his weight behind Dr Gono and declared that he would not tire until the former RBZ governor's ascendancy was confirmed.

"We are fully behind you VaGono; the people of Buhera need you. Pane makwikwi ari mumusangano mazuva ano, with some throwing spanners along the way but we will not rest until you assume the post," said Mutasa who also went down memory lane, narrating the late Kangai's illustrious liberation war credentials.

"He was a straight-forward man, a man who fought diligently for the liberation of this country. He was the secretary for transport and logistics in the Dare ReChimurenga and made sure everything went smoothly."

Gumbo weighed in: "Kangai knew the party protocol. Chaakutinetsa ikozvino ndaana mafikizolo vasingazive gwara remusangano. Munhu anongobuda achingoropota asingazive kuti vakuru vemusangano ndaanani, uye vanobatwa sei.

"During the struggle we learnt that as leaders we should not put personal interests in front. Instead, we should extend the interests of the masses."

Among the dignitaries present at the event were Central Committee member Idah Mashonganyika, Mudzi South legislator and prominent lawyer Mr Jonathan Samkange and Major-General Douglas Nyikayaramba.

Kangai (75), died on August 24, 2013 after collapsing at his Glen Forest home.

He was Zimbabwe's first Labour Minister, and Buhera South legislator from 1980 to 2008.

He is survived by wife Miriam and eight children.