HARARE - President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF holds a crucial Politburo meeting today which will tackle the Midlands leadership wrangle and former central bank Gideon Gono’s senatorial appointment.
Rugare Gumbo, Zanu PF spokesperson, told the Daily News: “We only get to know about the agenda when we get into the meeting.
“But I am sure that Webster Shamu, the political commissar, will present a report which will deal with among other issues, the leadership wrangle in Midlands.
“Also, I think the Gono issue will also be discussed. A lot of issues will be discussed and as of now l cannot really give you a detailed list of those issues that will be up for discussion.”
Shamu earlier this month announced a new Midlands executive which was met with stiff resistance by some party heavyweights in the province.
In turn, Shamu said he would investigate the matter and produce a report.
Following the death of former Buhera Senator Kumbirai Kangai, Zanu PF Manicaland province recommended Gono for the senatorial seat but his appointment has been stymied by legislative changes.
Turning to the economic challenges bedevilling the country, Gumbo denied his party had failed to revive the economy.
The Zanu PF spokesperson insisted that the economic blue print, Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset) was the panacea to the problems facing the economy.
“It is too early to say we have failed,” Gumbo said.
“We have been in government for the past six months and where is the talk of failure coming from?
“Mind you, ZimAsset is a five-year programme. What this means is that we have five years to implement it. Yes, we have economic challenges. Yes, there is a liquidity crunch but I believe the appointment of (John) Mangudya as the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) governor by President Robert Mugabe will go a long way in addressing the liquidity challenges.
“Mangudya brings to the central bank a wealth of experience and under his leadership, we trust that the liquidity challenges will be addressed. I can say things are shaping up.”
Mugabe has appointed economist and former CBZ chief executive officer Mangudya as the new governor of the RBZ.
The appointment is effective May 1, running for the next five years.
Asked how feasible the ZimAsset target was, Gumbo said: “ZimAsset is a guideline that details how all the sectors of the economy, agriculture, industry, mining etc must be improved. ZimAsset will not implement itself. It will require everyone to work extra hard. We saw the Cabinet dealing with corruption in State parastatals and this is good for ZimAsset. It is tough but we have to work very hard.”