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Cde Masuku was acting chairman as the incumbent, Cde Zenzo Ncube was also suspended.
At the moment Cde Thokozile Mathuthu is the acting chairperson for Matabeleland North.
Lupane would be the command centre for Matabeleland North elections, which would be conducted in all districts in the province.
The Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial executive met the national commissariat delegation that had come to supervise the election at Davies Hall where they resolved to shelve the holding of elections to a future date.
The delegation comprised Politburo and Central Committee members Cdes Webster Shamu (National Political Commissar), Cdes Francis Nhema, David Chapfika, Jabulani Mangena, Cephas Msipa, Tendai Savanhu and Edward Chataita.
Addressing the provincial party members after the meeting yesterday, Cde Nhema, who is the head of delegation in charge of Bulawayo elections, said the polls were postponed to allow the province to mourn one of its fallen leaders.
“We had planned to hold elections but because one of us has died we had to shelve the exercise to mourn him. As the commissariat team we have agreed that a future date will be set for the election,” said Cde Nhema.
“It is culturally correct to postpone the election in honour of Cde Thwala. In the meantime the acting chairman Cde Killian Sibanda remains in charge.”
Cde Shamu said while Bulawayo polls have been postponed, Matabeleland North would go ahead and elect its substantive chairman.
“As the commissariat we had come here to supervise the holding of elections for the chairpersons in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North. Cde Nhema, who is here representing Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, is the head of the delegation that was supposed to supervise the elections. As we speak some members of the commissariat have already gone to Matabeleland North,” said Cde Shamu.
Bulawayo acting chairperson Cde Sibanda was expected to fight it out with Cdes Dakamela, Mkhululi Dube, Simon Khabo and Dzingai Kamamba.
Cde Sibanda also said it was proper to postpone the elections.
“Our leaders have announced the resolution. From now we can go to Cde Thwala’s family to console them,” he said.
“We are saddened by his death and as a province we have met and made a proposal for Cde Thwala to be declared a liberation hero.”
The election of substantive chairpersons is expected to re-invigorate the party and boost the morale of party members who have always complained that disputes over the post of the chair were hampering the smooth running of the party.
Meanwhile, Cde Sibanda also announced the death of Cde Audrey Malunga, wife to the late veteran nationalist and national hero Cde Sydney Malunga.
Cde Malunga died at Mater Dei Hospital on Wednesday.
She was 64.
Mourners are gathered at Number 9 Churchill Road in Bellevue.
After the meeting the commissariat delegation accompanied by local leaders, who included Politburo members Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Cde Angeline Masuku, Cde Absalom Sikhosana among others visited the Thwala family in Nkulumane 12 to pay their condolences.
He is survived by his wife Sipho and six children.
Mourners are gathered at House Number 8717 in Nkulumane 12 while burial arrangements are yet to be announced.
Online Reporter