Tsholotsho saga: the untold story(2)

Posted by: webmaster

Prof. Jonathan Moyo

THE first meeting of Zanu PF provincial chairmen and provincial governors that specifically deliberated on the principles of the Tsholotsho Declaration chaired by Elliot Manyika took place in Harare on August 16, 2004. This meeting reviewed the party’s constitution and various resolutions by the key organs of the party on the procedures for nominating and electing the top four leaders of the party.


A week later on August 23, another meeting of the same provincial chairmen and provincial governors still chaired by Manyika was again held in Harare. At this meeting the seven provinces of Masvingo, Midlands, Manicaland, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo and Mashonaland West voted in favour of the principles that later became known as the Tsholotsho Declaration regarding the procedures for the nomination of the top four leaders of Zanu PF while this was opposed by the three provinces of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Harare.

It became clear from the deliberations of this meeting and the outcome of the vote that Emmerson Mnangagwa would be elected as one of the two vice-presidents and second secretaries and would be poised to succeed Mugabe.

A final meeting on the same subject by the provincial chairmen and provincial governors, again under the chairmanship of Manyika, was held in Zvimba, President Mugabe’s home area, on August 30, 2004. At this crucial meeting the vote in favour of the principles now generally known as the Tsholotsho Declaration and its electoral implications increased from seven provinces to eight when Chen Chimutengwende, as chairman of Mashonaland Central province, added his vote although the other chairmen doubted his capacity to carry his province with him.

After this meeting, Manyika went to brief the then Zanu PF secretary for administration, Mnangagwa, about the outcome of the deliberations of provincial chairmen and provincial governors, an outcome whose essence was to adopt the principles of what has come to be known as the Tsholotsho Declaration.

On the same day, August 30, 2004, Mnangagwa sent a letter to provincial chairmen advising them to notify all party structures under them about the convening of the fourth annual people’s congress due in December 2004 and the business of that congress including the election of the party leadership and the procedures thereof.

Because a vote had been taken in favour of the principles of what later became known as the Tsholotsho Declaration by the two meetings of the provincial chairmen and provincial governors on August 23 and 30, 2004, it is common cause that this result was conveyed to the party leadership including President Mugabe who also knew that the last vote was taken in Zvimba, his home area. There was nothing clandestine or sinister about it.

A week or so before the Zanu PF Women’s Congress that was held on September 2, 2004, there was a meeting in Beatrice in Mashonaland East of some Zanu PF politicians and technocrats linked to Solomon Mujuru’s camp and elements from the three provinces — Mashonaland Central, Harare and Mashonaland East — that had voted against the principles of the Tsholotsho Declaration at the meeting of provincial chairmen and provincial governors on August 23, 2004.

The specific purpose of this Beatrice meeting was to throw spanners into the works of the decisions by provincial chairmen and provincial governors on the application of the principles that later defined the Tsholotsho Declaration in order to scuttle what was then seen as the impending inevitable election of Mnangagwa which would break the Zezuru ethnic monopoly of presidential power.

At that meeting, Nathan Shamuyarira is said to have proposed that there was a need to find a vice-president who would not overshadow President Mugabe in both stature and capacity and that the best strategy for achieving that was to use the women’s congress on September 2, 2004, to garner support for a woman candidate, Joice Mujuru.

This would kill two birds with one stone: block the application of the principles of what became known as the Tsholotsho Declaration thereby effectively blocking Mnangagwa’s ascendancy while enabling the emergence of a second vice- president who would not overshadow Mugabe but who would maintain the Zezuru ethnic domination and hegemony in Zimbabwean politics.

This strategy was pursued at the women’s congress as both First Lady Grace Mugabe and President Mugabe himself were roped in to use their addresses at this congress to shock the meeting and the nation by declaring that the vacant post for vice-president and second secretary previously held by the late Vice President Simon Muzenda should be reserved for a woman.

This high-profile intervention by the first family in this manner shocked many in the party and the country because it flew in the face of the party’s constitution and commonsense.

Also by this time, through the formal structures of the party, a circular from the secretary of administration had already gone out on August 30, 2004, advising provincial chairmen to prepare for the December 2004 congress in terms of the party’s constitution which did not have a provision reserving one of the positions of vice-president and second secretary for a woman.

On November 11, 2004, in consultation with Manyika as political commissar and with the specific approval of President Mugabe, Mnangagwa sent another letter to provincial chairmen as a follow-up to his August 30, 2004, letter as required by the party’s constitution, informing them about the procedures for the nomination of the top four leadership positions ahead of the December 2004 congress and confirming November 21, 2004, as the nomination date.

By this time everyone in the party knew that the nominations for the top four leadership positions in the party and central committee members would be done by provincial executives on November 21, 2004. More specifically, it was common knowledge in the party that the principles of what later became the Tsholotsho Declaration would apply as supported by at least seven and possibly eight provinces of the party.

On November 14, 2004, the chairman of the Tsholotsho Zanu PF district coordinating committee, Believe Gaule, and the Tsholotsho rural district council chairman, Alois Ndebele, approached me in Bulawayo requesting that I help them invite Mnangagwa in his capacity both as secretary for administration in the party and speaker of parliament to be the guest of honour at a speech and prize giving day at Dinyane High School in Tsholotsho on November 18, 2004.

I was very reluctant to agree because of the short notice and also because I knew that the secretary for administration was busy with preparations for the party congress scheduled for December 2004.

But Gaule and Ndebele put a lot of pressure on me arguing that they had seen how Mnangagwa had been to Ntalale Secondary School in Matabeleland South as a guest of honour at a speech and prize giving day which had tremendously benefited the school hardly a week earlier and that we needed to try and bring similar benefits to Dinyane High School in Tsholotsho.

They also argued that I needed to take advantage of an event such as they were proposing to bring the senior leadership of the party, especially provincial chairmen, to Tsholotsho as part of our parliamentary election campaign for the March 2005 election which we had by then started in earnest. Upon assessing the implications of their argument, I agreed although I still doubted if Mnangagwa would be able to attend due to the short notice.

On November 15, 2004, I spent the whole day in Tsholotsho trying to reach Mnangagwa in Harare without success. Towards the end of the day, I telephoned Francis Nhema and told him of the request from Tsholotsho and asked him to help relay the message to Mnangagwa if he could find him and he agreed to do that.

Nhema called later that night to advise that he had found Mnangagwa who had agreed to be the guest of honour at the Dinyane High School speech and prize giving day and that I should give him details of the event, expectations of the school and to prepare a draft speech when I get to Harare the next day.

I then contacted George Charamba about the event and asked him to help with the provision of the necessary logistical arrangements. I also asked him to draft a speech for Mnangagwa appropriate for the occasion which he did rather well. On the same night I called several chairmen of the party that I could find and told them about the event and invited them to attend and to bring gifts for the school.

The majority of them said they would attend except, interestingly enough, those like Amos Midzi who had voted against the principles of what became known as the Tsholotsho Declaration on August 23, 2004, in Harare and on August 30, 2004, in Zvimba.

On November 16, I discussed the invitation with Mnangagwa at parliament and we agreed that we would leave for Tsholotsho on November 18 in the morning by Air Zimbabwe to Bulawayo and drive from there to Dinyane High School in Tsholotsho. The next day on the morning of November 17, I forwarded to Mnangagwa’s office the draft speech and confirmed travel arrangements as well as logistical preparations in Tsholotsho itself.

To my utter shock, later on that day, I got a call from Mnangagwa asking me to urgently go to his office in parliament as there was a new development that could affect the Dinyane High School event the next day. I rushed there wondering what had happened.

Mnangagwa said it was no longer possible for us to travel by Air Zimbabwe in the morning as previously arranged because he had been called by President Mugabe and told to convene an emergency Zanu PF politburo meeting the next day — November 18 — to discuss very serious complaints Mugabe had received about preparations for the nomination of the party’s leadership scheduled for November 21, 2004, as per the letter that Mnangagwa had sent to provinces with Mugabe’s specific approval.

We considered cancelling the Tsholotsho event in the light of this development that there would be a previously unscheduled politburo meeting on the same day. But there had been a tremendous public response
to the Dinyane High School event and, after making a few calls suggesting we cancel or reschedule, it became clear that the event had to happen.

Upon being told by Mnangagwa that President Mugabe had said the emergency politburo meeting would be brief because the president was scheduled to depart that afternoon for Zanzibar, I then suggested that we would see if we could hire a private plane or helicopter to Tsholotsho and I immediately asked my office to look into that given the new situation that had arisen.

Later my office confirmed that we could hire a private plane to Bulawayo and drive to Tsholotsho from there using funds that we had raised outside treasury but from national sources.

Continued>>

Other Articles..

AddThis Social Bookmark Button [Mail to a friend]
« Prev item - Next Item »
---------------------------------------------

Comments


Prof Moyo i have a couple of comments to make abt this article and other things

i find this article to be very informative and factual though i do not seem to pick much details abt the role and influence you had over the events. This article is one of the few that u read and you feel you are getting to understand what exactly is happening with our country especially the questions that are going through the minds of the new generation in Zimbabwe of ' what is the truth about the problems in our country' 'Can we trust the current politicians with our future' 'Can politicians be trusted at all' ' Are zimbabwean politicians properly adjusting to the changed environment or they are resisting change'. I am waiting for yr next part of the strory.
Uri kuda kungonyepa. U are an oportunist aida kushandisa Ngwena kuachiver magoals ake. Zvino wakablockwa naMr kukakama Retired and Tired Rex Nhongo a.k.a Solomon Tapfumanei Mujuru. Unomama chete Jonono
CQX
My first impression of your website was pleasant,I recently used your website to hold a contest for a website template design. Our Gucci Brand Shop have huge quantity of <a href=" http://www.pickguccishoes.c... shoes">Men Gucci Shoes</a>, <a href=" http://www.pickguccishoes.c...">Gucci Bags</a>, <a href=" http://www.pickguccishoes.c...">Gucci Clothing</a> and etc. for sale! You cann not miss it!
CQX
My first impression of your website was pleasant,I recently used your website to hold a contest for a website template design. Our Gucci Brand Shop have huge quantity of <a href=" http://www.pickguccishoes.c... shoes">Men Gucci Shoes</a>, <a href=" http://www.pickguccishoes.c...">Gucci Bags</a>, <a href=" http://www.pickguccishoes.c...">Gucci Clothing</a> and etc. for sale! You cann not miss it!
<p>May some women keep different opinion that buying so many pari of <STRONG><A href="http://www.christianloubout...">Christian Louboutin Outlet</A></STRONG> is a behavior of wasting your wage. But in some occassion, you must do that because women know that buying shoes is a very addicting custom, but as a lady, you just can’t let a certain twosome of<A href="http://www.christianloubout..."> Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes Sale </A>go. Another important reason for buying <STRONG><A href="http://www.christianloubout...">Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes Sale</A></STRONG> is that a pair of Christian Louboutin can transform any furnish into a look. You will be completely different from you before.<A href="http://www.christianloubout...">Buy Christian Louboutin</A> It is so beautiful and so hence. <a href="http://www.christianloubout...">Discount Chris Louboutin Boots</a> You just can't resist. But you must know that you begin to admire one woman's feet if a woman is tiresome a fussy pair of sandals and she has her feet has done. It is certain that in men's eyes, women are sexy, classy,<A href="http://www.christianloubout...">Christian Louboutin classic collection</A> and sophisticated especially with a nice pair of <A href="http://www.christianloubout...">Christian Louboutin Pumps for sale</A>.</p>
<p>Thank God that this time <STRONG><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com">coach outlet sale 2010</a></STRONG> is so considerate to our customers that has released many new fashion <strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/mbt...">mbt boots on sale</a></strong> which indeed has swept away the <STRONG>
<A href="http://www.yoursbag.com/des...">designer handbags outlet </A></STRONG>and dull winter feel.Often see many
<A href="http://www.yoursbag.com/bur..."> designer bag outlet online</A>, from front to back and from the outside to the inside, are <strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/des...">fendi handbags on sale</a></strong>, as if the bag, lest others don't know her life as a <A href="http://www.yoursbag.com/guc...">designer handbags online</A>
<A href="http://www.yoursbag.com"></A>.What’s better,<strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/han...">chanel handbags outlet</a></strong> is not only fantastic but also functional. <A href="http://www.yoursbag.com/han..."><strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/han...">ed hardy handbags for sale</a>, there are many familiar elements in its goods, which include<strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/han...">lv handbag on sale</a></strong> pattern, metallic, black, white and etc colors,<strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/mbt...">MBT shoes</a></strong> even omnipresent
<A href="http://www.yoursbag.com/mbt..."><STRONG>Discount MBT boots</STRONG></A> or marks in our daily life.<strong><a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/mbt...">MBT Lami Shoes</a></strong>
<p><A href="http://www.yoursbag.com/han..."><strong>
<a href="http://www.yoursbag.com/han..."></a></p>
<p>Wearing <A href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/">Discount MBT walking shoes</A> will burn extra calories, stimulate your metabolism and help to regenerate muscles. And the technology used in the consruction of MBT is the resouce of benefits. How can we buy it cheaply? One way to horde money is to buy <STRONG><a href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/...">MBT shoes on sal</a></STRONG>e.If you are on your feet for too long time everyday, choosing<STRONG> Discount <a href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/...">MBT VOI Shoes</a></STRONG> is your nice choice. Why? Because<a href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/..."> MBT Sport Shoes</a>are designed for mbt shoe on sales utmost comfort and other things such as trimming off the pounds, toning your body, decreasing pain and keep wonderful posture. But so kind of<A href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/...">Mbt Chapa azul</A>is pricey. <a href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/...">MBT Lami Shoes</a> often keep their prices for the ended styles at slightest parts providers selling the anti shoe at discounted prices and piece of <A href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/">MBT walking shoes</A> even submit gratis shipping to <A href="http://www.mbtshoe2you.com/">MBT shoes online</A> from all over the world cheap mbt shoes.The most common one is that wearing MBT footwear can have a firming effect on the buttock,abdominal and leg muscles.</p>
http://www.salesmbt.com/mbt...
http://www.salesmbt.com/mbt...
http://www.salesmbt.com/mbt...
http://www.salesmbt.com/mbt...
http://www.salesmbt.com/mbt...
http://www.coachoutletfacto... coach outlet
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... mbt outlet
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... mbt shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... mbt shoes on sale
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... mbt shoes online
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Chapa GTX Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Fanaka GTX Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Karani Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Kisumu Sandals
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Lami Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT M.WALK Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Shuguli GTX Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Sports Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Tariki Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Chapa GTX Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Ema Sandals
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Habari Sandals
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Kaya Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Kisumu Sandals
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Lami Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women M.Walk Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Salama Sandals
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Sapatu Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Shuguli GTX Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Sports Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women Tunisha Shoes
http://www.mbtshoesaleonlin... MBT Women VOI Shoes
Tucked away in our nike air max 2010 mens running shoes subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long nike air max 2010 trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out air max 2009 windows, we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at nike red air max 2009 crossing, of cattle grazing on air max 95 black distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon nike air 95 row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling air max 90 hillsides, of city skylines and village halls. But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain blue air max 90 for women day at a certain hour, we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags nike air max 180 waving. Once we get there, so many wonderful dreams will come true and the pieces of our black nike air max shoes lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, bing the minutes for nike air max light shoes loitering --waiting, waiting, waiting for womens nike air max station.Sooner or later, we must realize there is no station, no one air max ltd classic place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of air max shoes store life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. In stead, climb more nike air max white mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more women air max shoes sunsets, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come men air max shoes soon enough. http://www.sellnikeairmax.com/ LIJ
If theres one thing Ive learned working on a bag blog for the past three years, then it is that women take a lot of pride in their designer handbags collections. To most males, therealm of the bag is a ridiculous one, after all it is just a D&G Handbags that allows you to carry your lipsticks around. Guys, wake up and stop being so dense. We all have our cars, ourwatches, our collections of vintage collectible comic books or silk ties. Let the women indulge in the passion of their own. This being said, Ive met a few ladies through tPF whose Best Seller Handbags collections sum up to a combined worth higher than the GDP of a country like Luxembourg. PBC comes to mind, star3337s collection aint shabby, either. It is hardly a requirement to have the worlds most amazing, rare and expensive bags in your closet in order to impress. In our Gucci Handbags Showcase forum, 1100 people have already showcased their Fendi Handbags, ranging from small indi designer collections to the aforementioned cream-o-the-crop. One of the latest in collections was resident Purse Blogger Megs collection, that I shot by the pool a few days ago. You are welcome to check it out and more importantly, sign up at the Purse Forum and post your proud collection for the world to see. http://www.designerhandbags...

Leave comment

:

:
: