'War credentials no longer a trump card'

Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Callistus Ndlovu has warned party members to be wary of 'opportunists' who go around canvassing for votes to land vice-presidency and national chair positions claiming to be the 'most senior' PF-Zapu members, ahead of the party's elective congress in December.

He said war credentials were longer a trump card but what an aspiring leader can do for people if voted into power.

Speaking during a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting at the party's office in Bulawayo yesterday, following the party's decision to bar its officials from campaigning ahead of the congress until further notice, Ndlovu labelled  as 'opportunists' those who have been canvassing for votes ahead of the congress by claiming to be the most senior party members, warning that the precedence created room for 'dictatorship'.

"This type of gross opportunism must not be tolerated and let us be wary of it because it creates dictatorship. We respect all these people but let us not abuse party structures. Bulawayo is part of Matabeleland and we will prefer a leadership that will articulate what they will do for people and the region, not what they were during the war of liberation (sic)," Ndlovu said.

He said while there was a consensus that the second vice-presidency position in the party and government belonged to former PF Zapu members, tribe and seniority were no longer an issue.

"The issue of what you were during the liberation war belongs to the archives and it's no use to us," he said.

Ironically, last week politburo member Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu  dared  national chairperson, Simon Khaya Moyo who is reportedly eyeing the VP position to prove he was the most senior former PF Zapu member.

"The position of president and national chairperson are up for grabs, but not that of VP that you are talking about," said Ndlovu.

"The VP position in question is reserved for the most senior former Zapu member in Zanu PF.

"I challenge Moyo or anyone else to stand up and say he/she is the most senior Zapu official.  I don't want to say they are amafikizolo  (Johnny come lately), but just that they are coming up, but not the most senior (sic)," said  Ndlovu.

Meanwhile, party secretary for Education, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu rubbished suggestions of a second vice-president position where 'engineers' of the idea justify it by saying it will bring a 'balance' of power between PF Zapu and Zanu PF members saying the 1987 Unity Accord does not make a provision for such.

"There has been talk of a second vice-president but we are unwavering on that. The party is clear that there is only one vice-president and that is not debatable (sic)," he said.

Zanu PF is reportedly seized with tussle for leadership positions ahead of its December congress, with stiff competition for the vice-president's position seemingly pitting party national chairperson Khaya Moyo, Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi,  Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, former Zipra commander Ambrose Mitinhiri, and former Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa Phekezela Mphoko.

The position fell vacant following the death of John Nkomo last year and sentiments are almost in unison that the position should be filled by a former PF Zapu cadre as per 1987 Unity Accord guidelines.

On the other hand, secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa is reportedly eyeing the national chair's position in the event Khaya Moyo is elevated.

His maneuvres have, however, been criticised by some former PF Zapu leaders who feel the status quo that has been prevailing since the signing of the Unity Accord should be maintained.

Though not part of the agreement, the position has been held by ex- PF Zapu cadres.