By Brighton Chiseva
BIKITA – The dispute over the appointment of the new Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has exposed tensions between a faction linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another associated with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.The decision to appoint Archbald Ncube, former Chibi RDC Human Resources and Admin officer, as the substantive CEO is being contested by councilors, who are insisting that they do not want him at the local authority despite him being appointed by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe.Zanu PF Bikita district is said to be a Chiwenga faction stronghold, with the power struggles between the two factions coming to the fore when Bikita RDC council chairperson Timothy Mataga blocked the appointment saying councilors and other stakeholders were against the appointment of Ncube.Mataga claimed that Ncube ranked number two during interviews for the post which was left vacant following the death of Peter Chibhi who committed suicide following a string of corruption and abuse of office cases.The District Zanu PF structures are aligned to Chiwenga faction, save for a few like Bikita South and West MPs Energy Mutodi and Daniel Nhatiso Makusha, whih has seen Ncube’s appointment hitting a wall.A councilor from Bikita, Brighton Mushekwa, was verbally fired from the party by Mnangagwa loyalist and national youth executive vice chair John Paradza for refusing to chant the ED2030 slogan.In a letter seen by TellZim News dated January 2, 2025, directed to the Council Chairperson, the Garwe approved the appointment of Ncube as the new council CEO.“I have approved the appointment of Ncube with effect from the date of appointment as the substantive CEO for Bikita RDC in terms Section 66 (1) of the Rural District Councils Act chapter [29: 13]. In the event that he declines, the offer should be extended to Savory Chikomwe and should all of them fail to fill the vacant post for some reasons, the post should be re-advertised,” reads the letter.Mataga however went on to write his own letter, allegedly after being influenced by Zanu PF structures in the district, dated January 21, expressing displeasure over the appointment of Ncube.“On behalf of Bikita RDC, I write to object the appointment of Archibald Ncube as Chief Executive Officer. When interviews were conducted the candidate who scored the highest mars was Arnold T Mtuke who is the current acting Chief Executive Officer. Council sat and resolved to have him appointed as the substantive Chief Executive Officer and our resolution was duly forwarded to you. “The resolution to appoint Arnold T Mtuke was based on his performance during his period as acting CEO from March 2024 to date and his performance in the interviews. As the council Chairperson for Bikita RDC, I am convinced that Arnold T Mtuke can take the RDC to new heights hence my objection to the appointment of Archbald Ncube,” reads part of the letter.Sources however said Bikita District Development Coordinator (DDC) Bernard Hadzirabwi went to Bikita RDC on Monday February 3 to introduce the new CEO but the council chair refused saying those who had voted him had instructed him not to allow Ncube to take over as CEO.The sources further said Mataga said some Zanu PF members in the district including retired general Engelbert Rugeje and Anna Rungani had instructed him against accepting Ncube.“Mataga said he was instructed by Zanu PF leadership in the district not to allow Ncube to take over as CEO. DDC Hadzirabwi called some party members including the Provincial Chair Robson Mavhenyengwa who said they should continue with the minister’s instruction but he refused,” said the source.Contacted by TellZim News on January 7, Mataga maintained the council’s position saying they were not told why their preferred candidate was not appointed and they would stand by the resolution unless the Minister insists.“We want the minister to explain to us why the person whom we recommended failed when he was number one during the interviews. We where shocked that number two and three were nominated and our candidate was not even mentioned,” said Mataga.Asked if he was instructed by Zanu PF members not to allow Ncube to take over as CEO, Mataga simply said it was not only the party but several stakeholders.“Not only Zanu PF, a number of our stakeholders here are against that and they want Mtuke to continue unless the Minister insists or explain to us why he chose Ncube over Mtuke,” Mataga said.Other sources said Mtuke had since written a letter declining the nomination by council to continue as CEO.Mataga however said he had not seen the letter and only heard about it from the DDC and said it did not make sense though for him to write a letter declining an offer that he was not directly given.“I didn’t see any letter, I only heard that from the DDC; how could he have written a letter declining an offer that we had not given him? Who was he responding to? We never wrote a letter to him with the offer so it does not make sense,” said Mataga.In the alleged letter leaked to TellZim News dated January 31, Mtuke said he was not interested in the post saying it was in the best interest of Bikita people for peace and unity to prevail.“Allow me to take this opportunity to state my disinterest in the CEO’s post for Bikita RDC. I am grateful for the faith and trust the council and other stakeholders have in my capabilities but it is in the best intrest of the people of Bikita that peace and unity prevails to further the development agenda of the district. I pray my humble submission will be acceptable,” reads the letter.Efforts to get a comment from Mtuke were futile as his cell was not reachable by the time of writing and Ncube on the other hand said he could not comment on the matter to the media.Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa told TellZim News that he had summoned the councilors so he could hear the matter.He said the councilors were Zanu PF and the party formed the government so they could not be seen opposing what had been done by the government.“We as Zanu PF cannot oppose what has been done by a government minister because the government is Zanu PF so we cannot be seen disputing what has been done by our government.“I have since called the councilors so that I hear their case so I will furnish you after I have a meeting with them,” said Mavhenyengwa.
