PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai are still haggling over the allocation of provincial governors’ posts as it emerged that Zanu PF is now demanding half of the 10 positions.
Zanu PF and the two MDC formations had three weeks ago agreed on a formula to allocate the posts under the inclusive government formed last week.
The three parties had agreed to allocate the posts using the outcome of the March 29 parliamentary elections.
A party with more seats in any given province would allocate a governor in that province and under this formula the MDC-T would have five governors, Zanu PF four and the other MDC led by Arthur Mutambara one.
In addition, Zanu PF was entitled to appoint a minister of state.
Under this deal, the MDC-T would appoint governors in Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Masvingo and Manicaland while Mugabe will have the three Mashonaland provinces and Midlands. The other MDC would appoint a governor in Matabeleland South.
But sources this week said Zanu PF was now demanding five governors.
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Mugabe, the sources said, wanted to appoint a governor in Manicaland where Zanu PF lost dismally in the parliamentary polls.
Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara this week failed to reach an agreement on the governors although the three parties agreed that resident ministers should take office soon.
MDC spokesperson and also Minister of Information Technology in the inclusive government, Nelson Chamisa, confirmed this week that the issue of governors was still unresolved.
“The issue of governors is still to be resolved. The principals are set to meet and discuss the allocations of all outstanding issues and the issue of the governors is one of them,” Chamisa said.
He however said the parties were agreed on the time frame the outstanding issues should be resolved.“The implementation has to be done immediately and that is what Sadc said,” Chamisa added.
Meanwhile, there is serious jostling for governors’ positions within the MDC-T.
Sources in the party said there was lobbying and canvassing by members eyeing the seats although the MDC-T has reportedly shortlisted potential candidates.
Former party women’s assembly chairperson Lucia Matibenga is reportedly going to be the governor of Masvingo, Hwange East MP Tose Wesley Sansole is earmarked for Matabeleland North, and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Wellington Chibebe would get Harare.
In Bulawayo, Nketa MP Seiso Moyo is tipped to be the new governor.
Chamisa could not be drawn into discussing the reportedly MDC-T governors’ list.
BY LOUGHTY DUBE
