TOP Zanu PF officials in Matabeleland South province have reportedly started canvassing for the provincial affairs minister’s post which fell vacant last week after incumbent Abednigo Ncube was appointed Rural Development and Preservation of National Cultural Heritage minister.
BY NQOBILE BHEBHE
Several names of central committee and politburo members have been bandied around.
These include Abigail Damasane (Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development deputy minister), Beitbridge Senator Tambudzani Mohadi, Aaron Maboyi Ncube, Patrick Hove, Ananieas Nyathi (former Matopo Senator) and Richard Ndlovu (former politburo member). A Zanu PF provincial member said although President Robert Mugabe normally considered seniority for such posts, the Zanu PF leader could still spring a surprise.
“As a party we have known that seniority takes precedence when key appointments are made. But that is not the case now. We understand that names have been thrown around of possible replacements. Damasane, Mohadi, Ndlovu, Hove and Nyathi from Kezi are the front runners, that’s for now,” said the official.
Zanu PF acting provincial chairperson, Rabelani Choeni and provincial secretary for administration, William Dewa could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Former provincial governor, Angeline Masuku, who lost her Bulawayo central committee seat was ruled out of the running owing to her advanced age, the official added.
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“Look, Masuku’s age works against her and politically she was no longer popular in the province. Also the Double O Ranch scandal is still fresh on people minds,” he said.
Early this year, Masuku was accused of reportedly protecting white farmer George Watson from being evicted from Double O Ranch that had been gazetted for redistribution.
Watson, who survived initial attempts to evict him in 2003 was this week ordered out of the 10 000-hectare property in Beitbridge district.
Double O Ranch was allocated to the community in Beitbridge’s Ward 12 for relief grazing during the land reform programme.
A long-standing dispute has been raging on between Watson and villagers from the Siyoka area, who accused him of his “unrepentant colonial behaviour”.
The farm was previously divided into two sections with Watson and his mother identified as JT Watson remaining with 2 000ha while 8 000ha were allocated to Siyoka villagers.
