The race for second Vice-President of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has opened debate about which formula should be used to elect someone to the post – history or incumbency.
Incumbency favours Simon Khaya Moyo because he is the national chairman. That post has been the stepping stone to the vice-presidency for former ZAPU officials. But history does not. He was too junior at the time of the unity accord. History does favour Phelekezela Mphoko who was the first to challenge the promotion of Moyo claiming he was senior to Moyo, either.
History also shows that apart from Joseph Msika, seniority in the former ZAPU did not apply to subsequent appointments. Msika who was Joshua Nkomo’s deputy just before the unity accord was given the national chairman’s post which was the next in-line for vice-president.
After Msika it appears to have been a free for all. When Msika was promoted to Vice-President following the death of Nkomo, John Nkomo was elevated to national chairman, ahead of two others who were his seniors at the time of the unity accord- Welshman Maben and Naison Ndlovu.
Simon Khaya Moyo jumped over even more when he was elevated to national chairman when Msika died and Nkomo was promoted to Vice-President.
War veterans from the former ZAPU argue that posts within ZANU-PF should not be based on positions in the former parties that united in 1987 but purely on merit.
Their argument is that if positions continue to be based on the former parties, no one from the former ZAPU can ever become state president as the highest one can aspire to become is second vice-president.
And they made their point when Jabulani Sibanda was elected national chairman of the War Veterans Association, a position that could have been permanently occupied by former Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army cadres had they not broken this jinx.
Besides, in ZANU Joice Mujuru skipped everyone to become vice-President in 2004.
Here is the last executive of ZAPU before the unity accord.
PATRIOTIC FRON- ZAPU CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
1-Dr J.N.M Nkomo President
2-J.W. Msika Vice President
3-W.H. Mabhena Secretary General
4-N.C.M. Nyashanu Deputy Secretary General
5-K.M.Mano Treasurer General
6-N.K. Ndlovu National Chairman
7-R.G. Marange National Organising Secretary
8-J.L. Nkomo Executive Secretary for Publicity and Information
9-R.P. Nyandoro Executive Secretary for Transport
10-E.D. Ndlovu Executive Secretary for Political Education
11-S.J. Nkomo Executive Secretary for Foreign Affairs
12-N. Zikhali Executive Secretary for Youth Affairs
13-Mrs M. Makwavarara Executive Secretary for Women Affairs
14-Dr I. Nyathi Executive Secretary for Security
15-Adv. S.K. M. Sibanda Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs
16-Dr K.L. Dube Executive Secretary for Education
17-A. Masawi Executive Secretary for Tradition and Culture
18-L.G. Madiye Executive Secretary for Public Relations
19-M. Chinamasa Executive Secretary for Commerce and Industry
20-Mrs R.L. Chinamano Executive Secretary for Welfare Services
21-Dr S.U. Sakupwanya Executive Secretary for Health Services
22-M.M.Bhebe Executive Secretary for Mines
23-J. Padzakashamba Executive Secretary for Construction
24-K.B. Bhebe Executive Secretary for Agriculture
25-N. Moyoi Executive Secretary for Economic Planning and Development
DEPUTY EXECTUVE SECRETARIES
26-S.K. Vuma Deputy Executive Treasurer General
27-H.S.K. Mazendame Vice National Chairman (Acting)
28-S.D. Malunga Deputy National Organising Secretary
29-Mrs. `A. Masuku Deputy National Organising Secretary
30-B. Hollington Deputy National Organising Secretary
31-P. Chilimanzi Deputy Executive Secretary for Publicity and Information
32-V. Dhlamini Deputy Executive Secretary for Transport
33- D. Mangwende Deputy Executive Secretary for Political Education
34-N. Mabhena Deputy Executive Secretary for Foreign Affairs
35-M.Chiranganyika Deputy Executive Secretary for Youth Affairs
36-V. Knife Deputy Executive Secretary for Youth Affairs
37-T.V. Lesabe Deputy Executive Secretary for Women Affairs
38-D. Dabengwa Deputy Executive Secretary for Security
39-Adv. S. Katsere Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs
40-Adv. L. Senda-Moyo Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs
41-Prof. G.P. Kahari Deputy Executive Secretary for Education
42-Chief J.M.Mangwende Deputy Executive Secretary for Tradition and Culture
43-K.C. Mohadi Deputy Executive Secretary for Public Relations
44-E.Khan Deputy Executive Secretary for Commerce and Industry
45-Rev Masiyane Deputy Executive Secretary for Welfare Services
46-E.B. Hananda Deputy Executive Secretary for Health Services
47-T.V.Mpofu Deputy Executive Secretary for Mines
48-P. Takundwa Deputy Executive Secretary for Construction
49-P. Matende Deputy Executive Secretary for Agriculture
50- S. D. Mdlongwa Deputy Executive Secretary for Economic Planning and Development.
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