ZANU PF youth league officials have started canvassing for support ahead of their national conference slated for August this year amid reports that four candidates selected along the party’s two distinct faction lines have emerged as front runners for the deputy secretary’s post. OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
Party insiders told NewsDay yesterday that lobbying for various positions had started with candidates from the factions allegedly led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa set to lock horns at the congress.
The national youth conference is widely believed to be used as a barometer to gauge the character of the main elective national congress.
The four candidates believed to have thrown their hats into the ring for the top post are Makoni West MP Kudzanai Chipanga — who is currently the secretary for external relations, the incumbent deputy secretary for youth affairs Edson Chakanyuka, Mhondoro Ngezi MP Mike Gava — who is the current political commissar — and Gokwe Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena.
According to sources, Chipanga, who is widely believed to be in Mujuru’s camp, has backing in his home province of Manicaland, Mashonaland East and West, Masvingo, Bulawayo and parts of Matabeleland.
“Yes, I can confirm that I am in the contest though I cannot reveal more details at the moment,” Chipanga said yesterday, but declined to disclose his backers.
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Chakanyuka’s chances might be scampered by his recent involvement in the alleged theft of President Robert Mugabe’s 21st February Movement birthday presents.
Some senior official in Zanu-PF confirmed that the upcoming women’s conference and the youth conference would be used to gauge the December congress.
“The youth and women elections will be a reflection of the bigger record of the national congress, therefore, some individuals will have to chip in with ideas and resources to help those aligned top them,” the official, who refused to be named, said.