Gono case a litmus test for Zanu PF

THE foiled senatorial bid of former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gideon Gono which spilled into the Zanu PF politburo this week was a litmus paper for the ruling party which analysts have said it tested Zanu PF's adherence to the laws governing the country.

Observers had predicted that Zanu PF which has in the past been condemned for turning independent institutions into State monopolies would nullify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's decision to stop former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono's senatorial bid in Manicaland.

But in an unexpected move, the ruling party, during its Wednesday politburo meeting, upheld ZEC's decision saying the law could not be amended to suit the circumstances of an individual.

Ironically, Gono had been endorsed by the same politburo to stand for the senatorial post in Manicaland. While there has been bickering along factional lines regards the Gono issue, the party's Wednesday resolution showed the presidium's wherewithal to be neutral.

Political pundits said it was unfortunate that Dr Gono's case was being viewed by some from factional politics and hailed Zanu PF's decision saying it showed that the party respected independent commission and the rule of law at a time when the party has been accused of controlling ZEC.