Mpofu slams Gumbo, accuses him of fanning factionalism

MATABELELAND North provincial political head and politburo member, Obert Mpofu on Saturday took a swipe at Zanu PF national spokesperson Rugare Gumbo for using his position to speak on behalf of his faction led by Vice President Joice Mujuru at the expense of the party.

The province also distanced itself from attacks made by deposed Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman, Jabulani Sibanda on the First Family accusing them of wanting to stage a "bedroom coup".

Speaking at a Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Lupane to outline the duties and responsibilities of the provincial congress coordination committee and appointment of subcommittee members, Matabeleland, Mpofu took a swipe at Gumbo and accused him of fuelling factionalism by issuing out biased statements on deliberations by the party's politburo.

"Now we don't know whether those charged with speaking on behalf of the party are speaking on behalf of the party or faction. An old man appears on television frothing from the mouth speaking for a faction and not the party. We do not agree with that," said Mpofu in apparent reference to Gumbo.


"If you are a Zanu-PF spokesman, speak on behalf of Zanu-PF, do not talk about your own things. We do not want that, it destroys the party. If you tell people, tell people things that will take the party forward and not what pleases you.

"If you see a person blaming others, they have a problem. Speak for the party and tomorrow speak for your things. They should not make us omatholwane babo."

Gumbo last Friday defended Mujuru and took attacked the faction allegedly led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Although he is perceived to be aligned to the Mnangagwa faction, Mpofu said Matabeleland North was the only province lauded by the First Lady during her recent "meet the people" tour for not being involved in factionalism.


He said some people were given money to disturb the province and the leadership had the names of individuals that were sent but the people refused to join factions.

He said Matabeleland North was behind the leadership of President Mugabe and the province was the first to endorse the decision to elevate the First Lady to head the Women's League when some were undecided.

Chronicle