adminThe Politburo on Saturday appointed Zimbabwe Ambassador to Cuba Cde John Mvundura Manicaland provincial chairperson.
He is deputised by Retired Lieutenant General Mike Nyambuya.
In separate interviews with the Herald yesterday Cdes Oppah Muchinguri and Didymus Mutasa, who were accused of leading factions in the province, welcomed the new provincial leadership and pledged to work well with it.
The new provincial leadership convened an urgent meeting in Mutare on Sunday that drew all Politburo and Central Committee members including Cdes Muchinguri and Mutasa.
The meeting underscored the need for unity in the province and to strengthen the structures.
Cde Muchinguri praised the new leadership, which she said comprised of sober people.
“It went on very well. It was about reconciliation. People must bury their political differences and move forward.
“We have trust in the new leadership as it is made up of sober people with experience in diplomacy and conflict management. We are giving the new leadership a chance as it is well equipped to deal with complex issues,” she said.
Cde Muchinguri said the province must now prepare for the harmonised elections which it must win resoundingly.
“What we want now is to win the elections. People should change their attitudes. People must mature,” she said.
Cde Muchinguri said there was a need for mass mobilisation by roping in young cadres and encouraging people to register to vote to ensure that Zanu-PF trounces the MDC formations.
Cde Mutasa also expressed confidence in the new team.
“We welcome the new leadership with both hands. I worked with Lieutenant General Nyambuya very well when he was governor for Manicaland.
“We did our duties peacefully and even up to now we are working well together. I have never had any problems with Cde Nyambuya.
“The province, especially the youths, were very happy when he was being introduced on Sunday during a provincial meeting. He was warmly welcomed,” he said.
Cde Mutasa said he had good working relations with Ambassador Mvundura dating back to the liberation struggle.
“I do not foresee any problems,” he said.
Cde Nyambuya yesterday said uniting Manicaland was a priority for the new provincial executive.
“Our priority right now is to unite the province. It is a province which has been traumatised by some occurrences.
“Manicaland is a great province which must be united and take its rightful place. It is a province with a great history,” said Cde Nyambuya.
He said the new provincial leadership was confident that it would resolve the challenges facing Manicaland.
“We are confident that we will conquer because we know that we are doing the right thing.
“We want to make sure that we are thoroughly prepared for the elections so that we recover seats which were taken by the opposition,” Cde Nyambuya said.
Zanu-PF only managed six seats out of 26 in Manicaland after it lost ground to the MDC-T in the 2008 elections.
The loss has been attributed to unnecessary divisions and the self-defeating ‘’bhora musango’’ protest vote by disgruntled party members.
“We believe that if we embark on an aggressive and peaceful campaign we will be able to win back the hearts and minds of the people.
“The challenges in Manicaland were mainly to do with personalities,” Cde Nyambuya said.
He said it was possible to unite the warring parties.
“Our biggest challenge was lack of unity in the province but we can be united. Already yesterday we had a meeting which went on well.
“It was attended by all the Politburo and Central Committee members including Cde Mutasa and Cde Muchinguri.
“They all pledged to work for unity in the province,” Cde Nyambuya said.
The Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant and Chiadzwa diamonds were among issues discussed during Sunday’s meeting.
The multi-million dollar ethanol project is lying idle because of political bickering in the inclusive Government while the people of Manicaland are disgruntled over Chiadzwa diamonds which they say are not benefiting the province.
Online Reporter