Fierce fighting for positions has erupted in ZANU PF’s Mashonaland West province ahead of the ruling party’s annual conference set for October in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province.
The ZANU PF Mashonaland West leadership has admitted to the divisive jostling for provincial posts and has directed party members to desist from campaigning for positions until party headquarters give the green light.
In a notice to party members which was to NewZimbabwe.com at the weekend, provincial deputy commissar, Godknows Nigel Murambiwa, said:
It has come to our attention that some members have started campaigning for provincial positions, that is, main [wing], women, and youth chairmanship. The party has no vacancies to be filled.
It is, however, against this background that we issue a strong warning to those who are seeking to dislodge or to unseat sitting officers of the party as witnessed by personalised jingles and soft copies of posters campaigning for the positions.
… Those who shall be found posting any material related to campaigning have themselves to blame if the long arm of the law of the party falls before them.
The Commissariat Department is, therefore, urging everyone to wait until such directive is issued from headquarters.
One of the positions up for grabs is that of provincial chair which fell vacant following Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi’s elevation to the Politburo in May.
NewZimbabwe.com reported sources as saying the potential candidates to replace Ziyambi include the frontrunner, Mashonaland West provincial Minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, and provincial youth chairperson Vengai Musengi.
Acting chairperson Abia Mujere is also reportedly vying for the highly influential position.