Mutasa denies canvassing for post

via Mutasa denies canvassing for post. 13 October 2014 by Manicaland Correspondent

ZANU PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, has denied actively canvassing for the position of chairman at the party’s December congress.

Mutasa denied any wrongdoing saying he was nominated for the position by the Zanu PF Manicaland provincial executive which is chaired by Ambassador John Mvundura.

Mutasa’s denial of canvassing came a week after he was subjected to a barrage of attacks by state media for allegedly breaching the Zanu PF constitution which prohibits canvassing before elections.

“The matter was discussed by a provincial committee and it was not my choice. Please call Ambassador Mvundura he will give you more details on the matter,” he said.

The Provincial Coordinating Committee chaired by Mvundura is said to have nominated Mutasa to take over the party chairmanship from Simon Khaya Moyo whom they said should ascend to the position of vice-president alongside Joice Mujuru.

Mutasa is said to be rooting for Mujuru in the factional fights over President Robert Mugabe’s succession that are tearing Zanu PF apart. The Mujuru faction is locked in a bitter war against another faction led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mutasa was last week at the receiving end of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s attack after she accused senior party officials of imposing themselves to positions before the congress.

She said it was a shame that some senior officials were violating the party’s constitution which they are supposed to protect.

On Monday, Mutasa was at pains to deny any wrongdoing. He said he was approached by the provincial committee but told them that he had to first consult Mugabe on the matter.

“I will not just rush to grab the post but I will first have to talk to President Mugabe. If he says yes then I can take it up. If he says no for any other reason, I will have to leave it,” said Mutasa.