Mat South sticks to Gwanda for conference

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
THE ruling Zanu-PF leadership in Matabeleland South on Friday rejected efforts by some members from the party to shift the venue of the National Annual People’s Conference from Gwanda town to Gwanda State University site at Epoch Mine in Filabusi.

Two weeks ago, the party leadership settled for the Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED) premises shifting from the initially proposed Phelandaba Stadium. However, some party members in the province wanted the venue to be changed again to Filabusi where a majority of delegates will be staying. About 5 000 delegates will be housed at Epoch Mine.

In his address on Friday during the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee which was called to deliberate on the preparations of the conference, provincial chairman Cde Rabelani Choeni said some party members wanted the venue to be changed.

“Some people had suggested that the venue be changed to Epoch Mine. I was phoned by the Provincial Administrator (Sithandiwe Ncube) telling me about the issue. When we met today before this meeting with Politburo members Cde Simon Khaya Moyo and Cde Abednigo Ncube and Central Committee members we agreed that we should not talk of another venue,” said Cde Choeni.

He said as Matabeleland South PCC, they came up with the venue and advised the national leadership and settled for Gwanda.

“As PCC we met and came up with the venue CMED and advised the national leadership about it. We are standing by our venue. Epoch Mine is for accommodation. There’s not going to be any talk of another venue,” he said.

Cde Choeni urged committees to report to the PCC and not jump the gun rushing to report to Harare.

“Harare knows we have said Gwanda is the venue. We spoke to Cde Mohadi (Kembo) who is senior in the province and he said there is no need to change the venue and said let’s concentrate on working in Gwanda,” said Cde Choeni

Matabeleland South will host the annual indaba in December and party members said preparations were going according to plan. —@richardmuponde