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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
THE Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial leadership has unanimously recommendedthe re-admission of Zanu (Ndonga) leader Mr Wilson Khumbula into the party, a move described as a sign of people’s confidence in the ruling party ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The provincial leadership made the recommendation during the provincial executive meeting held in Mutare last week where Mr Khumbula’s followers who were also willing to join the party were told that they were free to do so.

The recommendation came on the back of provincial chairperson Cde Mike Madiro’s announcement that he had re-engaged Mr Khumbula who had expressed willingness to rejoin Zanu-PF.

He said Mr Khumbula had engaged various Zanu-PF provincial leaders to negotiate for his return, but the engagements had failed to yield results since some party members blocked his intended move.

“I have checked with some party leaders and your decision is not inconsistent with the party’s position,” said Cde Madiro. “I had already liaised with the party’s national chairperson and this was a mere formality. The national commissar is also aware.”

Cde Madiro said he would take the matter to the provincial coordinating committee (PCC) and write to the national executive for a formal decision to be made.

Mr Khumbula said many members of his party had agreed in principle to join the revolutionary party.

“The decision was made long back,” he said. “I would like to make it clear that it is not me alone joining Zanu-PF, but the entire Zanu (Ndonga). In fact, there is no longer a party called Zanu (Ndonga). It is no longer in existence. We communicated our decision to the party structures.”

Mr Khumbula said President Mnangagwa was aware of his and the party’s position regarding the decision to rejoin Zanu-PF.

He blamed former Manicaland chairperson Mr Samuel Undenge and ex-minister Mr Saviour Kasukuwere for blocking his way back into Zanu-PF.

“It was Undenge and Kasukuwere who refused to formally accept us into the party,” he said. “Former president Mr Mugabe and even ex-combatants were aware of the decision. The official announcement was supposed to have been done at a gathering or rally, but the previous provincial leadership refused.”

The former Zanu (Ndonga) leader took a swipe at some individuals claiming that his party still existed.

He described them as people who were taking politics as a form of employment.

“If there is anyone who is going around claiming to be Zanu (Ndonga) leader, bring that person to me or ask that person to call for a rally,” he said.

“Tell that person to call for a rally at provincial or district level. Those are the kind of people who take politics as employment and want to survive on allowances paid during political seminars.”