adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
ATTEMPTS to impose Professor Callistus Ndlovu as chairman of Zanu-PF in Bulawayo have sparked outrage within the province with some party members describing the move as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
With only a week left before the holding of provincial elections in the city, there is conflict within the ruling party after the provincial executive sought to circumvent party procedures by foisting Prof Ndlovu on the people. They want Prof Ndlovu, the incumbent chair who is a member of the Central Committee, to retain the post without going through an election.
“We are opposed to this proposal,” fumed a party member who declined to be named.
“This is election time as per the constitution of the party and Prof Ndlovu cannot retain that post without an election. What is being done by the senior leadership in the province is wrong and cannot be accepted.”
The party members said imposing Prof Ndlovu would embarrass the party at a time when it was trying to canvas for support after losing the 31 July elections in the city to the MDC-T.
“Zanu-PF is an advocate of democratic processes and what some of us are trying to do is stifling democracy. The unfortunate thing is that this is made to appear to be a provincial decision when it is just a clique of that executive,” said another party member.
A Central Committee member who also preferred anonymity said: “Forcing Dr Ndlovu to join that race is embarrassing. As a Central Committee member, party protocol does not allow him to stand.
“Umdala (Prof Ndlovu) is a senior man who should be seconded to the Politburo and not fight over petty issues of the province. I think the people behind this do not love the old man because this will damage his political career.”
A youth member said: “This province needs young dynamic leaders and election time is meant to let people choose that leadership.”
It is the contention of the provincial executive that Prof Ndlovu, a renowned academic, has brought stability in the party and should continue at the helm.
Two candidates Cdes Joseph Tshuma and Simon Khabo, who were vying for the post of chairman, have since pulled out of the race citing different reasons related to the issue.
Cde Tshuma and Cde Khabo had submitted their credentials alongside incumbent deputy chairman Cde Killian Sibanda, Cde Douglas Ndlovu and Cde Tendai Ncube.
“Yes I have withdrawn from the race for the chairmanship because I cannot contest against a Central Committee member. Prof Ndlovu brought stability to the party and I think withdrawing is the right thing to do,” said Cde Khabo.
“The decision to second him to retain the post was made by the provincial elections directorate which I am part of. I cannot speak against that decision.”
Cde Tshuma said he had decided to contest for the post of vice chairman.
“I have withdrawn from the chairmanship and I am now vying for the post of the vice chair. There was too much noise and bickering over that issue and as a young politician I did not want to soil my reputation,” he said.
Commenting on the issue, Prof Ndlovu said he was not participating in the election although the provincial executive had seconded him to stand unopposed.
“I am not participating in the elections and I am not a candidate. The province wanted me to retain the post but that is their comment and it is entirely up to them to do that and not for me to comment on it,” he said.
Politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu yesterday insisted that the provincial executive endorsed Prof Ndlovu to retain his post unopposed.
“The submission was made to the Presidium and the national commissariat about the decision to endorse Prof Ndlovu’s chairmanship but we are still waiting for a reply. The elections are coming next weekend but the position of the chairman will not be contested,” said Dr Ndlovu.
However, Cde Sibanda disagreed: “That is a lie meant to decampaign us. I am contesting 100 percent and we will all meet Prof Ndlovu in the election ring if he wants to contest.”
He added: “As the province they sat and dictated things yet we sent our names to the national elections directorate in Harare. The people who are voting are districts who have the ultimate say and not the provincial executive.”
Provincial spokesperson Cde Michael Sikhosana confirmed the withdrawal of Cdes Tshuma and Khabo but could not be drawn into commenting on the participation of Prof Ndlovu in the poll.
“What I can only say is that we are ready for the elections next weekend and cannot comment on things that involve the Central Committee,” he said.
Online Reporter