Ncube, a former Zanu (PF) Bulawayo Provincial Chairperson, died on Monday morning at Lupane Hospital after a long illness.
Five days after his death, Ncube’s body has not been buried as it emerged that the Zanu (PF) provincial leadership has requested that he be declared a national hero.
The party’s politburo members from the province, though, are reportedly opposed to the conferment of hero status on Ncube.
“It is clear that some politburo members from Bulawayo are against him (Ncube) being declared a national hero. It is now almost five days after he died and Bulawayo province recommended to the politburo members that he should be declared a national hero because of the role he played both in the liberation struggle and the party,” said a member of the Zanu (PF) provincial executive who refused to be named.
The provincial executive member accused Bulawayo politburo members, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Angeline Masuku, of blocking the conferment of hero status on Ncube because of his strong links with Jabulani Sibanda, the ZNLWVA National Chairman.
Sibanda and the two top politburo members have publicly clashed on several occasions.
Addressing mourners at the late Ncube’s home in Mpopoma on Thursday evening, Zanu (PF) central committee member, Godfrey Malaba, said factionalism was killing the party in the province.
“Despite not being educated the late Ncube was an open minded person. Now, as we go towards elections, we should be united and avoid factionalism,” said Malaba.
Malaba said Ncube’s funeral arrangements are still to be announced. When reached for comment, Ndlovu said he was in a meeting while Masuku could not be reached for a comment.
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