Nkomo was the second VP in both Zanu (PF) and the government. Mpofu made the indication in an interview after delivering a public lecture at Midlands State University.
“We cannot talk about the post of Vice President at the moment. The priority should first be to win the next elections as Zanu (PF). Ambitions can only come after elections. How can you be Vice President when your party has not won the elections?” he said.
Zanu (PF) has reserved one of the VP posts for former PF Zapu members who joined the current party in 1987 after the Unity Accord. Joshua Nkomo and Joseph Msika held the same position. Mpofu has been on a massive campaign drive in his constituency and Matabeleland in general, a development that insiders say shows that he is angling for the Vice President post.
Mpofu regularly donates maize to households in Umguza and he also bussed in textbooks for students. Outside Umguza, Mpofu recently pledged to pay the medical bills of former Zimbabwe football international, Peter Ndlovu, who was in a road accident.
Zanu (PF)’s constitution points out that one of the Vice Presidents should be a former member of PF Zapu. The clause was drafted into the former ruling party’s constitution in 1987 after the two parties merged. The late Joshua Nkomo, who led PF Zapu, was the first to assume the post.
“There is a matter of seniority of former PF Zapu members when it comes to the appointment of the VP. At present, the highest in that hierarchy is Simon Khaya Moyo,” said a source.
Post published in: News