Mthuli Ncube to contest for Zanu PF in Byo

Professor Mthuli Ncube, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, has expressed his interest in running for the Cowdray Park Parliamentary constituency seat in Bulawayo.

He has submitted his papers to the ruling party for consideration in the primaries, which are expected to take place this week to select candidates to represent the party in the forthcoming harmonized elections.

Prof Ncube joined the Government in 2018 as a non-elected Cabinet Minister, and since then, he has become an active member of the ruling party. He was elected Central Committee member for Bulawayo late last year, and President Mnangagwa appointed him deputy finance secretary in the politburo.

Cowdray Park constituency is one of the biggest and second largest in terms of population after Budiriro in Harare, with more than 70,000 residents.

Prof Ncube’s spokesperson confirmed that the Treasury boss has thrown in his hat for the Cowdray Park seat, as it has serious potential for growth, and it makes a lot of sense for him to develop the area as a national leader. His poster for candidature is inscribed “massive development for Cowdray Park.”

Meanwhile, Prof Ncube met with former white commercial farmers in Bulawayo to share insights on Government’s plan to compensate them for the improvements made in farms prior to the Land Reform Programme.

The Government has resolved to compensate white farmers for the developments they made on the farms following the fast-track Land Reform Programme, which was done in the early 2000s.

Government has set a US$3.5 billion budget to compensate former white farmers for the improvement made on the land.

Economic analysts have said the country’s debt cancellation strategy was important as it would unlock potential investment to growth in the economy.