News / National
Shuvai Mahofa still bed-ridden
15 Mar 2016 at 06:12hrs | Views
SEVERAL top Zanu-PF officials in Masvingo have reportedly started canvassing for the Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister's post after the incumbent Shuvai Mahofa has remained bed-ridden and failed to report for duty since December last year.
Mahofa has been bed-ridden for close to three months after her health deteriorated soon after the Zanu-PF conference in Victoria Falls last December, amid speculation she took poisoned food.
However, close family members have dismissed the narrative, saying she had a heart and kidney problem.
She was conspicuous by her absence at President Robert Mugabe's 92nd birthday bash in the province recently, amid reports she is unwell and is hospitalised in South Africa.
At the function, held at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Mahofa had been slotted in as one of the speakers, but Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe stood in for her and announced that she would resume duty by March 5.
Zanu-PF insiders said some "political vultures" had already started positioning themselves for a possible takeover of the post in the event that Mugabe would need a replacement for Mahofa.
"Jostling for Mahofa's post has reached fever-pitch with about three candidates subtly canvassing for support," an insider said, adding that names thrown into the ring were those of provincial political commissar Jeppy Jaboon, women's league chair Veronica Makonese and the director in Mahofa's office, Kudakwashe Machako, who is seen at G40 meetings.
Machako, however, dismissed the reports.
"Who told you that? I think you should go and seek a comment from the people who said so," he said.
Former Chiredzi South legislator Ailess Baloyi alleged in a meeting to counter provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira's suspension that Jaboon was eyeing Mahofa's post and wanted to land it through backbiting.
"We know the likes of Jaboon also want to be the next Provincial Affairs minister. But he will not land it through backbiting and maligning others. He is a sell-out," he said, but Jaboon dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
"I am simply being punished because I chose to support the President (Robert Mugabe) and not a faction. They have a faction, but I support the President," he said.
Makonese could not be reached for comment yesterday.
But other sources said she once dressed down Mahofa in front of First Lady Grace Mugabe, alleging that the Provincial Affairs minister had stolen some donations in a briefing before a rally at Mushayavanhu High School last year.
Mahofa, dubbed the Iron Lady of Masvingo, set tongues wagging ahead of the party's conference after she rejected Grace's presidential bid, saying she only recognised her as the women's league chairperson and wife of the President.
Grace is locked in a bitter succession war with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's faction – to which Mahofa reportedly belongs – to replace Mugabe.
Mahofa has been bed-ridden for close to three months after her health deteriorated soon after the Zanu-PF conference in Victoria Falls last December, amid speculation she took poisoned food.
However, close family members have dismissed the narrative, saying she had a heart and kidney problem.
She was conspicuous by her absence at President Robert Mugabe's 92nd birthday bash in the province recently, amid reports she is unwell and is hospitalised in South Africa.
At the function, held at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Mahofa had been slotted in as one of the speakers, but Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe stood in for her and announced that she would resume duty by March 5.
Zanu-PF insiders said some "political vultures" had already started positioning themselves for a possible takeover of the post in the event that Mugabe would need a replacement for Mahofa.
"Jostling for Mahofa's post has reached fever-pitch with about three candidates subtly canvassing for support," an insider said, adding that names thrown into the ring were those of provincial political commissar Jeppy Jaboon, women's league chair Veronica Makonese and the director in Mahofa's office, Kudakwashe Machako, who is seen at G40 meetings.
Machako, however, dismissed the reports.
"Who told you that? I think you should go and seek a comment from the people who said so," he said.
Former Chiredzi South legislator Ailess Baloyi alleged in a meeting to counter provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira's suspension that Jaboon was eyeing Mahofa's post and wanted to land it through backbiting.
"We know the likes of Jaboon also want to be the next Provincial Affairs minister. But he will not land it through backbiting and maligning others. He is a sell-out," he said, but Jaboon dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
"I am simply being punished because I chose to support the President (Robert Mugabe) and not a faction. They have a faction, but I support the President," he said.
Makonese could not be reached for comment yesterday.
But other sources said she once dressed down Mahofa in front of First Lady Grace Mugabe, alleging that the Provincial Affairs minister had stolen some donations in a briefing before a rally at Mushayavanhu High School last year.
Mahofa, dubbed the Iron Lady of Masvingo, set tongues wagging ahead of the party's conference after she rejected Grace's presidential bid, saying she only recognised her as the women's league chairperson and wife of the President.
Grace is locked in a bitter succession war with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's faction – to which Mahofa reportedly belongs – to replace Mugabe.
Source - newsday
