Zanu-PF Midlands gets new chairman

The Zanu-PF Midlands provincial executive yesterday elevated Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube to the post of chairperson and co-opted Kizito Chivamba as his deputy.

Eng Ncube was vice-chair before his elevation.

Provincial secretary for security Owen Ncube and Midlands Women's League chairperson Elena Shirichena moved a motion to co-opt the duo and the executive acceded when it met in Gweru.

Zanu-PF Midlands secretary for information Cornelius Mpereri made the announcement on the sidelines of their provincial co-ordinating committee meeting.

Mpereri said, "We had a provincial executive meeting in the morning where we deliberated on a number of issues. We deliberated on co-options into our provincial executive. There was an acting chairperson since last year, so we decided to appoint a substantive chairperson.

"A motion was moved by Gokwe-Kana Member of Parliament Owen Ncube nominating Eng Ncube who was the vice-chairperson to be the substantive chairperson and that motion was seconded and unanimously endorsed. Shirichena then nominated Chivamba, our former chairperson, to deputise Eng Ncube and again, that motion was seconded and unanimously adopted.

"We also had several deliberations during the meeting, mainly preparations for the 21st February Movement celebrations in Matabeleland South. We discussed mobilising resources for delegates to the event; a contingent of about 10 000 youths. The province will contribute US$25 000 towards the celebrations."

Zanu-PF National Secretary for Education Dr Joram Gumbo, who was Midlands acting provincial chair since 2016, said: "I called for this meeting and advised the provincial executive that since the Politburo had concluded the issue of former chairperson Chivamba, who was on suspension, I have accomplished my mission to the province and it was time for them to co-opt and select a substantive chairperson.

"This is according to the constitution of the party which allows an organ to co-opt members whenever there are vacancies within that organ. I am confident that the new leadership will carry on from where I left in terms of strengthening the party structures as we prepare for the 2018 elections. I also emphasised the importance of unity, discipline and respect for each other among party members."

Chivamba was suspended by National Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere in 2016 alongside fellow provincial chairpersons Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) and Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) on charges of indiscipline and inciting insolence. However, the party last month absolved the three of any wrongdoing, and Chadzamira has since been reinstated.

There has been a growing lobby within the party for appointment of substantive chairpersons as the majority of people in those offices are there in an acting capacity after a slew of suspensions by the political commissar.