Herald Reporter
National Constitutional Assembly chairman Professor Lovemore Madhuku is in the limelight once again following claims by some members of his church that he is trying to influence the outcome of elections to choose new leadership scheduled for today.
Prof Madhuku is the moderator in the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe and will chair the annual general meeting today.
The University of Zimbabwe law lecturer has served two terms and will step down from his post after today’s meeting.
According to a member of the church, Prof Madhuku wants Reverend Ephraim Ngadzi-ore to take over from Reverend Edward Matuvhunye.
Rev Ngadziore will contest for the church’s presidency against Rev Godfrey Dhundu.
“We passed a vote of no confidence against him in January.
“He resisted the ouster and asked that he be allowed to serve his term until it expires. As the moderator he will be in charge of proceedings and is using that to install people that are sympathetic to his cause,” the source said.
Prof Madhuku yesterday laughed off the accusations saying he will conduct the elections in a transparent manner.
“There is nothing like that. What we are having tomorrow (today) will be the Synod meeting of the UCCZ where elections to choose new office bearers will be held.
“As the church’s moderator I will chair the meeting and the elections will be done in an open and transparent manner,” Prof Madhuku said.
The source said some of the youths that were being used were NCA activists that have been used in the organisation’s demonstrations for a new constitution.
“Some of these youths are not genuine church members but are drawn from the NCA and are using every tactic to have their way.
“They have been sending text messages clearly stating that they want a certain clique to assume office,” the church member said.