Mugabe must choose leaders, elections cause factionalism suggests Obert Mpofu

Zanu-PF politburo member Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday during a Provincial Congress Coordinating Committee meeting in Lupane said election cause "factionalism", Mugabe "must choose people he wants to work with".  

Dr Mpofu said elections generally caused divisions and as a province Matabeleland North has resolved that the centre of power should be President Mugabe so that he could make appointments for all positions under him.

"What brought factionalism is that positions were elected by provinces. The President should choose those that he wants to work with. It has turned out that some of the people he trusted are the very ones who want to destroy him," he said.

"You can't be a father when the mother and children are busy working to remove you."

Matabeleland North becomes the second province to make the resolution for President Mugabe to choose people to positions after acting Bulawayo provincial chairman George Mlala during the week revealed that they had passed a similar resolution.

Dr Mpofu urged provincial members to attend party meetings regularly and not only come when there were vacant positions. He singled out provincial secretary for administration Clifford Sibanda who he said should attend party meetings.

He said the province which came second last to Bulawayo at last year's conference in Chinhoyi, had topped all provinces in terms of discipline and orderliness and respect for President Mugabe.

Matabeleland North is the only province whose chairman, Richard Moyo, was not sacked through a vote of no confidence.

Dr Mpofu said factionalism did not benefit Matabeleland so there was no need to get involved.

"Even those aspiring for Vice Presidency shouldn't divide people. I heard that some were meeting at lodges promising people positions. You don't give people positions," he said.

"We heard some people met in Gweru to select a Vice President for us. The kangaroo meeting under the leadership of Cephas Msipa was said to have been convened to choose a Vice President. We don't support that, I'm happy that as Matabeleland North no one attended that meeting."