Former mayor, deputy eye MDC-Renewal chairmanship

FIVE MDC-Renewal Bulawayo provincial members including former city mayor Thaba Moyo and his then deputy Amen Mpofu have reportedly shown keen interest in succeeding Kucaca Phulu as chairman.

Phulu officially tendered his resignation as chairperson last Friday.

The party's provincial council is set to meet on February 1 to elect a new chairperson.

Party sources said apart from Moyo and Mpofu, the present vice-chairman Michael Gora, Cowdray Park councillor Collet Ndlovu and provincial women wing chairperson Gloria Ndlovu were also in the running.

"So far we have Thaba (Moyo), Amen (Mpofu), Collet, Gloria (Ndlovu) and Gora, who have indicated they are interested in the post," a source close to the developments said.

Gora is said to be the acting chairperson.

Provincial spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu confirmed the election date, but said he was not aware of members eyeing the post.

"Elections will be held in February, but as for who has submitted papers for consideration, I am not aware at the moment," he said.

"Also candidates don't submit to the province, but to the national chairperson.

"He will release the names towards elections."

Prospective candidates could not be reached for comments yesterday.

Phulu reportedly had to choose between stepping down as party chairperson or from Abammeli Human Rights Lawyers, as civil society groups generally do not encourage their members, particularity top members, to hold political posts.

MDC-Renewal and the Welshman Ncube-led MDC merged late last year and now operate under the banner of United Movement for Democratic Change (UMDC).

The UMDC, in the interim, is led by Ncube and Sekai Holland until its inaugural elective congress, tentatively slated for August.