adminHarare Bureau
CDE Edison Zvobgo Jnr has been removed from the Zanu-PF provincial secretary for legal affairs post after it emerged he did not qualify to hold the position, ruling party spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo confirmed yesterday.
He lost the post to mining consultant Cde Tedy Murodza from Masvingo West after it was realised that Masvingo Central – from where Cde Zvobgo Jnr hails – only had an allocation for one post in the provincial structure and this went to legislator Cde Edmund Mhere.
Cde Gumbo said all Politburo members from Masvingo province supported the move.
Cde Zvobgo Jnr lost primary elections to Cde Mhere who later won the mandate to represent Zanu-PF in the harmonised polls in Masvingo Central last July.
“What happened is when the provincial elections were held, the rule was that each constituency was supposed to get different numbers of representatives. Some got one and others two. In this case Masvingo Central was supposed to get one post that went to Cde Edmund Mhere who got more votes than Cde Zvobgo, leading to his disqualification. So the post will be assumed by Cde Tedy Murodza from Masvingo West,” he said.
Politburo members from the province, among them Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Josiah Hungwe and Titus Maluleke did not object.
However, Cde Zvobgo Jnr yesterday said he was unaware of the development.
“I have not been informed as yet about my status in the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive,” he said. “I am just reading it in the papers that I have been removed from the executive but I would need to see it in black and white then I will be able to comment as of now there is nothing that I can say.”
Cde Zvobgo Jnr, son of national hero Cde Edison Jonas Mudadirwa Zvobgo, denied he failed to garner enough votes to make it into the Zanu-PF basket system used to elect provincial executives.
“I do not want to say much at this moment but would I have been the secretary for legal affairs if I did not make it into the basket. I will, however, give you a full response after receiving official party communication,” he said.
Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Brigadier-General (Retired) Callisto Gwanetsa also said he did not know of the development.
“I have not received any communication about him and I will get back to you when I get some communication from the party’s national commissar (Cde Webster Shamu) or the national chairman (Cde Simon Khaya Moyo),” he said.
Cde Zvobgo Jnr last year donated office space for use as the party’s provincial headquarters.
This was after the provincial structure was kicked out of offices owned by Cde Mhere.
The party is still using Cde Zvobgo’s offices as it looks for alternative accommodation.
Online Reporter