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Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
ZANU-PF Matabeleland North yesterday rubbished reports of an “intensifying war” between Politburo members Cde Obert Mpofu and Professor Jonathan Moyo ahead of a visit to the province by the secretary for the commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere on Saturday. A newspaper claimed yesterday that the fight between the two senior leaders will come to a head during Cde Kasukuwere’s visit and also predicted the expulsion of provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo, who was labelled as “a staunch Mpofu ally.”
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo, who confirmed Cde Kasukuwere’s visit, said he had never seen any signs of disharmony between Cdes Mpofu and Moyo.
“There’s no bad blood between the leaders. We’ve never seen the two leaders showing signs of acrimony or even exchanging words during our meetings. The claim that the leaders exchanged words in the Politburo, we don’t know that because I don’t attend Politburo meetings, perhaps they (private media) were there themselves,” said Cde Moyo.
“In the run up to the Congress, Prof Moyo and Cde Mpofu donated a lot of money towards its holding. They worked together in securing that money and as I speak we’re building provincial offices from funds they sourced.”
Cde Moyo said he did not believe that Prof Moyo wanted him booted out from his position as provincial chairperson – a claim made by the Southern Eye newspaper, which went on to say the provincial chairman was a “staunch Mpofu ally”.
“Prof Moyo has given me advice on a lot of occasions, so I’m unaware that he wants me booted out, maybe it’s in his heart and those papers have a special ability to see that,” he added.
“It’s a lie that I’m being used by Cde Mpofu, I consult all politburo members on issues and I also advise them on developments in the party.”
The Southern Eye further claimed Cde Kasukuwere’s visit was “ominous for Mpofu and Richard Moyo” – suggesting that Cde Moyo would be removed from his post.
Yesterday, Cde Kasukuwere said there were many ways to spend his time that respond to “scurrilous rumours” as he rejected claims that Cde Moyo’s position was threatened.
Cde Kasukuwere’s Matabeleland North visit is part of his outreach to the party’s structures in all 10 provinces. He will also meet the provincial leadership of Bulawayo and Matabeleland South this weekend.
Recently, the province saw politburo member Cde Sithembiso Nyoni being barred from joining supporters in Binga who were celebrating the appointment of politicians from the province into the Politburo by President Mugabe.
Of the five politburo members, only Cde Mpofu, who was guest of honour, attended.
Cde Nyoni has came under the spotlight for calling Matabeleland North provincial leaders “shallow” following failed attempts to remove her from the Central Committee list in the run-up to the Congress.
The province has since demanded an apology from Cde Nyoni and provincial youth league members have threatened to stage a demonstration and block her from attending provincial meetings, if she does not apologise.
Online Reporter