Published by the government of Zimbabwe
16 November 2009
Harare — Battle lines have been drawn in Zanu-PF over nominations for the party national chairmanship at next month's congress with four candidates now vying for the post.
The four were at the weekend nominated for the post by the party's provinces.
This follows the emergence of a potentially pitched tussle for the Vice Presidency after one province endorsed Cde Oppah Muchinguri's candidature ahead of Cde Joice Mujuru, the incumbent.
Manicaland and Mashonaland Central at the weekend nominated current secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa for the post of national chairman.
Others in the race are Home Affairs Co-Minister Kembo Mohadi, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu and Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa Cde Simon Khaya Moyo.
Nominations for the party's Vice President and Second Secretary were also thrown wide open after Masvingo settled for Cde Muchinguri ahead of Vice President Mujuru.
This means the two VP posts could go down to the wire.
It initially appeared as if VP Mujuru would run unopposed at congress as would Cde John Nkomo for the post left vacant following Cde Joseph Msika's death in August.
However, a number of challengers have emerged in recent weeks to contest against Cde Nkomo while Masvingo stunned just about everyone by openly backing Cde Muchinguri ahead of Cde Mujuru.
Political pundits yesterday, however, contended that Cde Muchunguri's candidature had more or less become obvious when she did not stand for re-election as Women's League secretary earlier this year.
A candidate requires the support of six provinces to get into the Presidium at the congress.
The National People's Congress has been provisionally set for December 8-13.
Nine provinces have thrown their weight behind Cde Mugabe as their choice for President and First Secretary.
Midlands deferred its nominations to Saturday, citing irregularities in some of its structures.
In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios said the provincial co-ordinating committee had made a unanimous decision for the Presidium.
The province nominated Cde Mugabe as President and First Secretary; Cde Mujuru as VP and Second Secretary; and Cde Nkomo as VP and Second Secretary.
The province backed Cde Mutasa for the national chairmanship.
"The nominations went on very well and all the people nominated into the Presidium were chosen unanimously. The co-ordinating committee agreed with all the candidates," Cde Mafios said.
He said although the list of Central Committee members was not readily available, the province had made its selection.
A leading Zanu-PF member in Mashonaland Central said the province had nominated Cde Mutasa for the chairmanship because Matabeleland appeared undecided on who to
support.
"It seems the people in Matabeleland are confused and we have decided to put in our own candidate for the post," he said.
Mashonaland Central, East and West provinces had on Saturday said they would await the results from Matabeleland to determine candidates for the Vice Presidency and national chairmanship.
Zanu-PF acting national commissar Cde Richard Ndlovu yesterday acknowledged Cde Mutasa's nomination, but said they were still waiting for full reports from the 10 provinces.
"We are yet to receive full reports from the provincial chairpersons and I can only give a full comment after getting them.
"That (Cde Mutasa's nomination) is that, but I cannot comment further.
"I am, however, hopeful that the issue will be rectified soon before it gets out of hand," Cde Ndlovu said.
In nominations held on Saturday, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland chose Cde Nkomo for the VP post.
Interestingly, Matabeleland North nominated Cde Nkomo and Senate Deputy President Cde Naison Ndlovu.
The province also nominated two candidates for national chair -- Cdes Mpofu and Khaya Moyo.
Masvingo Province seconded Cde Mohadi for the national chairmanship.
Mashonaland East and West, and Harare indicated they would go by any decision made by the Matabeleland region on founding nationalist Cde Msika's successor as well as for the post of national chairman.
The post of national chairman has been held by a cadre from the Matabeleland region since the 1987 Unity Accord.
However, this is not a hard and fast rule and is more of a "gentleman's agreement" reached at the time.
Cde Msika was the first national chairman after Zanu-PF and PF Zapu united before being elevated to VP in 2000 following the death of Father Zimbabwe Cde Joshua Nkomo the previous year.
Cde John Nkomo took over the chairmanship.
Nominations for the Presidium and Central Committee members began on Saturday and full lists are expected from most provinces starting today.
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