War vets join Zanu-PF chairperson debate

Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
WAR veterans are set to meet Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus and secretary for information and publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo in due course to iron out issues around the contentious debate over Zanu-PF chairperson’s post.
There has been growing debate over the matter with some party members saying the 1987 Unity Accord reserved only the second vice presidency to former PF-Zapu members and the chairmanship post could be contested by anyone, a position that has been disputed by some party members.

Last week, the party’s national commissar Cde Webster Shamu torched a storm within the party when he referred to Cde Mutasa as “acting chairman” of the party while introducing him at a function at State House to celebrate the first anniversary of Zanu-PF’s landslide victory in last year’s harmonised elections.

In an interview with Chronicle in Bulawayo, war veterans’ leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda said before coming up with a position on the matter, they would meet the two senior party leaders. “Last week I had booked to see Cde Gumbo to hear from him because he has been quoted publicly speaking about the matter but I was engaged in another one that ended late,” he said.

“We will have to reschedule the meeting.”
Cde Sibanda said he knew Cde Mutasa as a seasoned politician with a record of implementing the party’s ideology and constitution.  “Cde Mutasa who is alleged to be interested in the position has been administering ideology and the constitution in Zanu-PF for many years with excellence,” said Cde Sibanda.

“There are also traditions of the party and it is Cde Mutasa who has excelled in this spirit. I will not then give a comment now until I meet the two leaders and get an explanation. Then we will come up with a position.”

Cde Sibanda said secret campaigns by those vying for the party’s vice presidency were working against the party and President Mugabe. “As war veterans, we do not want to hear about people campaigning secretly. Any person who does things secretly campaigning for an open position is a faction working secretly to destroy the party and the President,” he said. “I do not understand how one would secretly campaign for a public position under the cover of darkness. What are they afraid of?”

Last Saturday, Cde Mutasa said he would not force his way into the ruling party’s Presidium, though he would accept nomination to a higher office from the people.
At a Mashonaland West provincial youth conference in Chinhoyi where he was guest of honour, Cde Mutasa said he would follow President Mugabe’s footsteps and do as the people desire.

Former PF-Zapu secretary general and Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Cephas Msipa last month said he would meet President Mugabe on the issue of the chairpersonship.

He acknowledged growing debate over the matter but urged members to remain calm saying the issue would be solved amicably when he meets President Mugabe soon.