Zanu-PF's Naison Ndlovu starts vice presidency campaign

ZANU-PF politburo member Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu has started campaigning for the party's second vice-president's post amid claims that he intends to meet other contenders for the top post to drop their bids and back him.

Ndlovu recently told Chronicle that he was still consulting on whether or not to throw his hat in the race.

Yesterday the former PF-Zapu chairman said he had started engaging people to rally support ahead of the Zanu-PF elective congress in December.

"Consultation is part of campaigning because you will be coming together and asking for support of people who are eligible to vote. That is the process that is going on now," said Ndlovu.

There were allegations that Ndlovu was also in the process of approaching fellow contenders of the post asking them to make way for him as he was the most senior former PF- Zapu official.

Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo is considered the front-runner in the race to succeed the late Vice-President John Nkomo who died in January last year.

But, Ndlovu, Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi and former Ambassador to South Africa, Phekelezela Mphoko have also confirmed interest in the post while former Zipra chief of staff Ambrose Mutinhiri said he was still consulting on whether or not to contest.

"Those are still consultations, they have not been concluded yet," said Ndlovu confirming the reports.

Pressed to mention some of the contenders he had approached, Ndlovu said, "I can't divulge that to you.

"After I have done that (convincing the other contenders to abandon their interests) they will have to confirm to you.

"They are the ones who will answer the questions."

Ndlovu's sentiments follow weekend reports that elections to choose members of the presidium are set to be held under a secret ballot system while the party's constitution will be amended to regularise the disbandment of district coordinating committees.

The presidium is composed of the President and First Secretary, two Vice Presidents and Second Secretaries and the National Chairperson.

These office bearers are elected at congress, which also approves the appointment of central committee members and department heads and their deputies.

While the recent youth and women's league conferences endorsed President Mugabe as party leader, the rest of the top positions are up for grabs.