Obert Mpofu fumes over Mugabe's post remarks

Zanu-PF secretary for finance Obert Mpofu says he was quoted out of context following an outrage over his statements that no one from Matabeleland was interested in President Robert Mugabe's post.

Mpofu allegedly told a Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Lupane last weekend that no one in the region had the qualities to be president.

However, the Economic Planning minister told The Standard last week that his words were twisted by "factionalists".

"The subject of the discussion was with regards to reports that some people are positioning themselves to lead this country and I will say this as I have always been saying; in our province, we are not part to factionalism and groups that we hear about in the party," he said.

"So those people who would want to misinterpret what I said for their own gains, can go hang.

"As a province, we are not into this succession talk and we have no time.

"That was my comment, which some people want to misconstrue and present in a way that is wrong."

Zanu-PF secretary for technology Jonathan Moyo - who attended the meeting - took to Twitter to defend Mpofu, claiming he was quoted out of context.

"You are distorting him. He said nobody from Matabeleland is seeking the presidency because it's a fat chance! He did not say people from the region lack the qualities, but that they've no chance and cited Joshua Nkomo as an example," Moyo tweeted in response to a follower who was criticising Mpofu for the remarks.

Zanu-PF is facing serious divisions as the battle to succeed 92-year-old Mugabe intensifies, with two distinctive camps angling to position themselves for the top job.

One faction is allegedly linked to Vice- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while another one dubbed G40, is reportedly fighting in First Lady Grace Mugabe's corner.