Mugabe chides Sikhosana for losing his Central Committee bid

President Mugabe yesterday chided secretary for Youth Affairs, Absolom Sikhosana for losing his Central Committee bid on Monday.

Sikhosana lost to Alderman David Ndlovu in Area 4 in Bulawayo and The Chronicle on Tuesday reported that he was overheard saying "it happens in politics" after realising that he had lost.

However, during his traditional greetings of Politburo members when he walked in for the meeting yesterday, Sikhosana told the President that: "ngadliwa ngemali" (I lost because of vote-buying).

To which the President then jokingly said, "How can money 'eat' you and you not 'eat' money? Vamwe vanodya mari havadyiwe nemari."

This prompted Saviour Kasukuwere to ask Sikhosana how many votes he had garnered, but did not get an answer.

President Mugabe was in high spirits as he greeted Politburo members and party officials and even joked with journalists asking: "And you, who are you?"

Some party heavyweights who lost at the Central Committee elections looked dejected during the Politburo meeting among them Flora Buka, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Angeline Masuku, Francis Nhema and Alice Chimbudzi.

Conspicuous by her absence was Vice President Joice Mujuru, who party officials said was not feeling well.

The VP lost her bid for a Central Committee seat in Mt Darwin with a profound effect that she may lose her post in the party if President Mugabe does not appoint her.