Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube in Gweru
ZIMBABWE Defence Forces (ZDF) commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda and Matabeleland South parliamentarian under proportional representation, Cde Rose Mpofu have been appointed into the Zanu-PF Politburo.
The appointments were announced by Zanu-PF President and First Secretary, President Mnangagwa at the just-ended party’s Annual National People’s Conference. General Sibanda comes in as an ex-officio member while Cde Mpofu replaces the late National Hero, Cde Joshua Teke Malinga as the party’s secretary for people with disabilities.
“During the course of the year, we lost one of our party stalwarts, Cde Joshua Teke Malinga who was the secretary for people with disabilities. To fill the vacancy, I am appointing, Cde Rose Mpofu of Matabeleland South Province as a Politburo member and the new secretary for people with disabilities. Additionally, I also appoint this comrade, who during the liberation struggle was known as “Cde Gwenzi”, General, Phillip Valerio Sibanda, as an ex-officio member of the Politburo,” said President Mnangagwa.
Speaking after her appointment Cde Mpofu said the appointment caught her by surprise, revealing that she was humbled by the President’s trust in her.
“To be honest I am still in shock as I did not expect this appointment. I am humbled by the trust the President has shown in me and I will work hard that I fulfil my mandate. This all shows the kind of leader our President is as he has trusted me, a blind woman to help uplift the rights of people with disabilities and my promise to him and my constituency is that I will not disappointment,” said Cde Mpofu.
General Sibanda has served as ZDF Commander since December 2017. Before assuming leadership of the ZDF, he was Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army. The decorated soldier, whose nom de guerre was Cde Ananias Gwenzi, trained and served as a ZIPRA combatant during the Second Chimurenga after leaving the country in 1973 to join the war. He received military training in Morogoro, Tanzania. In 1974, after completing his training in the East African country, he was sent to Lebanon, where he spent nine months of rigorous training under the Palestinian Liberation Organisation.
Online Reporter