News / National
Politburo gags Gumbo
20 Oct 2014 at 08:52hrs | Views
As faction fighting intensifies, the Zanu-PF secretary for information Rugare Gumbo no longer has free rein to talk to the media and is confined to announcing politburo resolutions.
When contacted to comment on Grace Mugabe's irregular nomination as the next secretary for women's affairs Gumbo said "I am no longer discussing with the media. We have resolved that this helter skelter way of engaging the media must stop.
"In effect, I will be the mouthpiece of the party only if the politburo sits and makes a decision or, in some cases, when other organs such as the disciplinary committee deliberate on issues and make solid resolutions."
He told The Zimbabwean the succession battle had reached a peak ahead of the December congress. The government-controlled Herald, whose editorial content is directed by Information minister Jonathan Moyo, lambasted Gumbo after he called a press conference at which he announced that President Robert Mugabe had chided the publication for fanning factionalism.
Gumbo is believed to belong to the Joice Mujuru camp, while Moyo is said to support Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"We take great exception to statements made by Gumbo, who passed his personal sentiments on The Herald as the Zanu-PF position, and went to the extent of seeking to put words into President Mugabe's mouth," said The Herald.
Media practitioners have hailed Gumbo for being accessible to journalists up to now.
In September, the politburo ordered all party members to stop talking to the media, except for Gumbo. The organ also directed that all those aspiring for positions at congress must stop campaigning until officially asked to do so.
However, party members continue to defy the directive. Temba Mliswa, the provincial chairperson for Mashonaland West, held a press conference after the issuance of the directive, hurling mud at senior members like Moyo, who he accused of abusing the state-run media for his own purposes.
When contacted to comment on Grace Mugabe's irregular nomination as the next secretary for women's affairs Gumbo said "I am no longer discussing with the media. We have resolved that this helter skelter way of engaging the media must stop.
"In effect, I will be the mouthpiece of the party only if the politburo sits and makes a decision or, in some cases, when other organs such as the disciplinary committee deliberate on issues and make solid resolutions."
He told The Zimbabwean the succession battle had reached a peak ahead of the December congress. The government-controlled Herald, whose editorial content is directed by Information minister Jonathan Moyo, lambasted Gumbo after he called a press conference at which he announced that President Robert Mugabe had chided the publication for fanning factionalism.
Gumbo is believed to belong to the Joice Mujuru camp, while Moyo is said to support Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"We take great exception to statements made by Gumbo, who passed his personal sentiments on The Herald as the Zanu-PF position, and went to the extent of seeking to put words into President Mugabe's mouth," said The Herald.
Media practitioners have hailed Gumbo for being accessible to journalists up to now.
In September, the politburo ordered all party members to stop talking to the media, except for Gumbo. The organ also directed that all those aspiring for positions at congress must stop campaigning until officially asked to do so.
However, party members continue to defy the directive. Temba Mliswa, the provincial chairperson for Mashonaland West, held a press conference after the issuance of the directive, hurling mud at senior members like Moyo, who he accused of abusing the state-run media for his own purposes.
Source - zimbabwean
