BULAWAYO Senior leaders of Zanu (PF) here on Sunday nominated chairman John Nkomo (pictured) to take over as vice president of the party and Zimbabwe, a key stepping stone to the top job when and if Mugabe retires. They said it was proper that former vice-president Joseph Msikas post be filled by a member of the former ZAPU that merged with Mugabes party in 1987.
As Zanu (PF) national chairman, Nkomo is the most senior of the former members of ZAPU. But a scandal involving a man who has alleged he was sodomised by Nkomo has given rise to speculation he might be overlooked for the job.
But politburo member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told reporters after the Sunday meeting: We have resolved that John Nkomo takes over the vice presidency. It was decided that we get a person who had a national outlook as ZAPU was not a party for the people of Matabeleland only.
Ndlovu said that the province would forward Nkomos name to the national leadership within the next two weeks. He said Nkomos proposed elevation would result in his current post of national chairman becoming vacant and it was expected that a former ZAPU cadre would be appointed chairman.
The leadership in Matabeleland will consult other provinces on a suitable candidate to fill the post, he said.
While elevation to the vice-presidents post would place Nkomo closer to Mugabes job, analysts see second vice-president Joice Mujuru and powerful Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa as the lead contenders for Mugabes job.
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