Zanu PF orders fresh Mat North poll

Comment & Analysis
BY NDUDUZO TSHUMA BULAWAYO — The Zanu PF politburo has ordered the party’s squabbling Matabeleland North provincial chapter to elect a substantive chairperson, as factionalism continues to rock the former ruling party.

The politburo resolved that the province should set a date for the election as soon as possible.

Zanu PF Matabeleland North acting chairperson, Sithokozile Mathuthu last week said the province was still to set a date for the election because they were waiting for guidance from the party’s commissariat.

“We have not set the date,” she said, “We will be guided by the commissariat.”

Asked if the elections would be held anytime soon, Mathuthu said: “They will happen, but we haven’t been given the roadmap yet.”

The politburo also cleared suspended Zwelitsha Masuku, who was once acting provincial chairperson to contest the election, a development largely seen as a victory for Umguza legislator, Obert Mpofu, against his alleged rival, Zanu PF national chairman, Simon Khaya-Moyo.

Mpofu and Moyo are said to be fighting for the political control of the Matabeleland region to fill in the void left by the death of Vice-President Joshua Nkomo.

Masuku, who is widely considered an ally of Mpofu, was suspended in November last year, reportedly at the behest of Moyo, on allegations of defying the party.

Masuku however, did not face any disciplinary action, resulting in growing speculation that Moyo was fighting Mpofu for control of the party’s Matabeleland structures.

In March this year, Moyo wrote to Masuku barring him from any party activities.

The letter was written just days before the province was scheduled to hold elections for a substantive chairperson.

The elections failed to take place, but the province met and appointed Sithokozile Mathuthu as acting chairperson, in place of Headman Moyo, who had initially replaced Masuku.

Mpofu and Moyo recently clashed in front of President Robert Mugabe at a politburo meeting over the suspension of Masuku.Efforts to get a comment from both Mpofu and Moyo were fruitless last week.

 

Matabeleland war: Mpofu attacks Moyo

 

In the last Matabeleland North provincial meeting, where national party commissar, Webster Shamu was guest of honour, Mpofu indirectly attacked Moyo over Masuku’s suspension, accusing the party chairperson of derailing their programmes.

Mpofu also attacked some party members he accused of secretly campaigning for the chairperson’s position at the expense of Masuku.Unconfirmed reports indicate that party provincial spokesperson, Jonathan Mathuthu and secretary for administration, Clifford Sibanda, are interested in the post.