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I’m the king: Obert Mpofu

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Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu has declared himself the strongest politician in Matabeleland North .

Mines and Mining Development minister Obert Mpofu has declared himself the strongest politician in Matabeleland North as he has the backing of the electorate.

Report by Richard Muponde

 

The Zanu PF politburo member and Umguza MP said other leaders were merely claiming prominence yet they were appointees and should not be taken seriously.

  Mpofu, the former Matabeleland North provincial governor, told a rally in Dinde, Hwange Central constituency at the weekend that he spearheaded development in the province. Hwange Central constituency is represented by MDC-T’s Brian Tshuma.

  “I am a big politician, do not play with me, I am the most senior politician here in Matabeleland North, no one else,” declared Mpofu.

  “I am a politburo member and a Minister of Mines, if there is anyone in this province who tells you that they are more senior than me, tell them they are liars.”

  He said according to seniority in Zanu PF, he was number six, but second to Vice-President John Nkomo in the province. “I was elected by the people and not appointed. The only people who are senior to me are our President Robert Mugabe, Vice-Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, party national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo and secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa.

  “So do not take me for granted. I dictate things in Matabeleland North as the most senior person,” the minister said.

  Mpofu’s comments are likely to provoke another confrontation with Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu, who is also eyeing a seat in Hwange.

  Mathuthu by virtue of being a governor and politburo member, is also viewed a senior member of the party.

  Mpofu is reportedly campaigning for his nephew Bekithemba “Zebra” Mpofu in the Hwange West constituency and two other allies believed to be Reeds Dube in Hwange Central and Hwange Colliery Company human resources manager and Zanu PF central committee member Fati Mpofu in Hwange East.

  He also bragged about his Umguza constituency, which he described as “a one-party state”.

  “I told the MDC-T that they should not field any other candidate in my constituency, I want Tsvangirai himself and I will beat him,” Mpofu boasted. “If it is Welshman Ncube’s party, let him come himself. If it is Zapu, bring me (Dumiso) Dabengwa.”

  “I will never lose an election in Umguza because I learnt a lesson in the 2000 elections when I nearly fainted after being thrashed by an MDC candidate but that will never happen again.”