MIDWEEK REPORTER
CHIVI-The race to fill in Zanu PF Chivi Central Committee vacancy has taken a new twist with minutes of a District Coordinating Committee meeting held on September 19, showing that Mathias Tongofa lost the election to Clifford Mumbengegwi.
The Chivi CC post fell vacant following the death of Brigadier Elasto Madzingira in August last year and Mumbengegwi and Tongofa were nominated according to minutes in The Midweek Watch’s possession.
The meeting which was attended by 29 members was chaired by the DCC chairman, Samuel Magonde where 2 voted for Tongofa and 27 voted for Mumbengegwi.
“…a secret ballot vote was necessary to choose the one favoured by the majority.
“Twenty nine members casted their votes, with 27 voting for Comrade Mumbengegwi and 2 for Comrade Tongofa. Therefore, Cde Mumbengegwi won Chivi’s vote and was recommended to replace Cde Madzingira.
“The meeting directed the Chairman to submit the recommended name to the office of the Provincial Chairman,” reads part of the minutes.
On Monday, Zanu PF provincial chairman, Rabson Mavhenyengwa told this publication that Tongofa had been recommended to replace the late Madzingira and his name has been forwarded to the politiburo, CC and presidium for confirmation.
When asked about the DCC minutes, Mavhenyengwa laughed off at the matter and said as the provincial chairman he has done his duty and the rest is factionalism.
“What I told you earlier on still stands, I have forwarded Tongofa’s name and that still stands all that you are talking about is factionalism, ndezvaana Mazonde izvo,” said Mavhenyengwa.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told this publication that the process which recommended Tongofa and was presided over by Mavhenyengwa during an interdistrict meeting in August was flawed as it did not follow the wishes of the people of Chivi.
“If the presidium, CC and politiburo adopt Mavhenyengwa’s recommendation then the people of Chivi would have lost out, our wish is that the leadership will listen to the voice of people of Chivi and allow democracy to prevail.
“If Tongofa gets the nod, chances are the people of Chivi may appeal the outcome like they did with the interdistrict flawed meeting led by the provincial chairman, we can win or lose the appeal,” said the source.
When contacted for a comment, Mazonde said the final decision lies with the provincial chairman on the matter without elaborating.
“We met as DCC and forwarded our recommendation from the elections that saw Mumbengegwi winning on the day, but the final decision rests with my chairman,” said Mazonde.
Mumbengegwi is a veteran of the 1970s liberation struggle against the illegal colonial regime of Ian Smith. He stood for the parliamentary seat in Harare’s Kuwadzana Constituency in 2000 and lost narrowly to MDC’s Learnmore Jongwe.
Remained on Harare PCC until transfer to ZANU PF Masvingo Province where he rose to become Provincial Vice Chairman. He unsuccessfully contested three times for the Chivi North parliamentary seat and remained steadfast and committed to the party and its activities. He came a close second to the late Brigadier General Madzingira in last Central Committee elections. Mumbengegwi hails from Chivi District under Chief Madamombe in Chikwehle Village.
He was educated at Mukotosi Primary, Dadaya High School for Secondary education and the University of Zimbabwe. He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master of Science (Strategic Management) from the University of Derby, United Kingdom
Mumbengegwi served in the Zimbabwe National Army from 1981 until retirement in 1990 where he attained the rank of Major.
