Khaya Moyo's VP bid gets a boost

ZANU-PF'S Matabeleland South province has thrown its weight behind Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo's bid to take over the vacant vice-president post during the party's elective national congress scheduled for December.

Speaking at a Zimbabwe Republic Police provincial cattle branding model village launch in Gwanda yesterday, where Ambassador Moyo, who is also the Senior Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet, was the guest of honour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South Abedinico Ncube said the province was supporting Ambassador Moyo because of his leadership qualities.

"We are behind Ambassador Khaya Moyo to assume the vacant post of being the vice-president. He is the national chairman and he has done well, hence he is our candidate and we don't hesitate on that," he said.

"He is a hard worker and he is always with the people. The senior minister is always everywhere. Whenever he is asked to attend, he does so. He has been in every province. He has never hesitated to attend functions where he is being invited."

His sentiments follow reports that several ex-Zipra lieutenants were eyeing the coveted post left vacant after the death of Vice-President Dr Landa John Nkomo, who died in January last year.

Other hopefuls that are reportedly interested in the VP post include former Zimbabwe Ambassador to South Africa Phelekezela Mphoko and Ex-Zipra commander Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri.

Debate has been raging on who is likely to land the VP post with Dr Obert Mpofu, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, himself a politburo member, recently saying he hoped that Khaya Moyo would take up the position, adding that the Matabeleland region was against factionalism.

Dr Mpofu said the region was aware of the party's protocol and procedures and would rather concentrate on what they could achieve, which was the vice-presidency.

Ncube also stressed the importance of unity which he said would help the country to develop. He too emphasised that through unity the country would be able to achieve the goals set by the economic blueprint Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).

Speaking at the same function, Ambassador Moyo encouraged farmers to brand their cattle to curb stock theft.

Said Ambassador Moyo: "The cattle branding model village launches are meant to curb stock theft through personalised branding of cattle.

Zimbabwe remains relentlessly committed to strengthening the nation's agricultural sector through religious pursuit of various strategies spelt out in the Government economic blueprint (Zim Asset).

"The Government through the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development after the success of the land reform programme, set out to increase the national herd and beef production while simultaneously instituting other measures for livestock restocking."

Ambassador Moyo awarded certificates to 11 commercial farmers who donated 13 bulls to all the seven districts in the province in order to successfully implement the programme.

He said the bulls would go a long way in motivating the communities to brand their entire herd as well as to improve the quality of their cattle.

Also present at the function were Zanu-PF politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube; officer commanding Matabeleland South, Senior Assistant Commissioner Munyaradzi Musariri and Provincial Administrator Mr Mildard Khumalo.

The cattle branding model village was first launched by the Commissioner General of the police, Augustine Chihuri in Chiunye Village, Mashonaland Central Province in November last year.