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Leaders sabotage Zanu PF – Mpofu

Politics
Mines and Mining Development minister Obert Mpofu has accused the province’s leadership of sabotaging the party.

IN a sign of growing discord in the Zanu PF Matabeleland North province, powerful Mines and Mining Development minister Obert Mpofu has accused the province’s leadership of sabotaging the party by refusing to sell membership cards to protect their posts.

Report by Nqobile Bhebhe, Senior Reporter

Addressing Zanu PF supporters in Hwange on Saturday, Mpofu said party cards are not being sold to aspiring members as no meetings were taking place in the province.

“We have a situation whereby when we’re giving updates to President (Robert) Mugabe, some leaders say the province is experiencing a crisis, cannot attract more people. This is not true. Some leaders who feel very much threatened are hiding party cards from people,” Mpofu alleged.

“This would seem as if people are shunning the party. No! Some people are scared of calling meetings as they fear being removed from their positions. This is being done for personal gains at the expense of the party.”

However, Mpofu, who is Umguza Member of Parliament, did not disclose the names of top party members whom he claimed were sabotaging Zanu PF.

According to the current Zanu PF central committee report tabled at the party’s last national conference in Bulawayo last year,  Matabeleland North only sold 8 639  out of  35 000 cards.

Currently, the faction-ridden province does not have a substantive chairman after the sacking of Zenzo Ncube.

Ncube accused Mpofu of orchestrating his downfall to pave way for his sidekick Zwelitsha Masuku, who in turn was fired by party national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo.

Matabeleland North governor Sithokozile Mathuthu is currently acting chairperson, but other influential figures are said to be vigorously campaigning for their candidates.

Mpofu has recently upped his activities in the Hwange area and on Friday donated 60 tonnes of maize to the Dinde and Nekamandama communities.

He, however, dismissed speculation that he could be eyeing a parliamentary seat in the area.

“I am very much aware that most of my colleagues are very angry with what I am doing.

“But they should know that I am not eyeing any seat in Hwange. I was rejected here years ago, so I went to Umguza,” said Mpofu.