26 October 2009

Bulawayo — Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu yesterday declared his interest in the vacant Vice President's post.

After rumours had linked him to the post for about a month, Minister Mpofu broke his silence and said people should be allowed to choose the party's next Vice President.

Minister Mpofu said he was prepared to take the vacant Zanu-PF Vice President's post if elected by the people.

He becomes the fourth party cadre to openly declare his interest after Cdes Naison Ndlovu, Cain Mathema and Ambrose Mutinhiri.

National chairman Cde John Nkomo had already been proposed as the candidate of choice by Bulawayo Province.

Speaking at Zanu-PF election victory celebrations in Nyamandlovu, Minister Mpofu said those interested in the post should stop campaigning through the media and let the people decide who they wanted to be their leader.

"Some of the candidates who are vying for the post have never won a ward in the constituencies. They do not have the support of their wives while at the same time they want to be elected to be the Vice President of the country.

"As for me, I'm quiet. I do not speak to anyone but if the people give me the mandate to be the Vice President I will never let them down, I will take the post," he said.

Minister Mpofu is also the Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza.

"We are looking at the future of the country. People should be given the chance to elect an individual who represents the future and not those who want to benefit by campaigning through the media when they know that they do not have the support of the people."

Minister Mpofu said the essence of democracy was competition, hence if given the chance he would show all the people vying for the position that he represented the people.

"Let those who are interested in the post let the people decide who they want and see who will oppose me.

"What I know is that when the people are given a chance to choose the leader they want they do not stand a chance against me," he said.

Minister Mpofu said the people should be given the chance to elect a leader who would serve their interests.

"If we choose a candidate that does not have the support of the people who will he be speaking for?

"My record proves that I represent the people of this region.

"I was the only one in the region to be voted (for) by many people," said Minister Mpofu.

He castigated those who said the Vice President should be imposed through party structures.

"The party should not impose the person they want to be the leader. As for me I'm not

interested in impositions. If the post is given to me by the party I will not take it but if the people vote for me I will take it," he said.

Minister Mpofu said there was no substitute for democracy.

The post of Vice President and party Second Secretary fell vacant in August after the death of founding nationalist Cde Joseph Msika.

Since then, Senate President Cde Ndlovu, Bulawayo Metropolitan Governor Cde Mathema and former Youth Minister and Zipra chief of staff Cde Mutinhiri have all expressed their interest in the post.

National chairman Cde Nkomo has refused to comment on the issue saying it would be wrong to do so because one of the provinces had nominated him and this consequently made him an interested party.

allafrica