Peter Ndlovu denies plans to contest in polls under ZANU PF

SW Radio Africa

By Lionel Saungweme

29 May 2013

Peter Ndlovu, the Zimbabwe national football team assistant coach, has denied plans to contest in the forthcoming general elections on a ZANU PF ticket, as had been widely reported.

The social media has been awash with reports claiming that Ndlovu is planning to contest in Bulawayo, sparking condemnation from some of his supporters who say this will tarnish his legendary football status if he enters politics.

It is alleged that Ndlovu, who has also played for Highlanders Football club, is under pressure from Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu to stand on a ZANU PF ticket in Makokoba. Mpofu is a known Highlanders supporter.

Newsday also reported Wednesday that ZANU PF is courting the popular former Zimbabwe captain and Coventry City winger.

SW Radio Africa spoke to Ndlovu on Wednesday after he had just returned to Zimbabwe from Malawi on National team business.

He said: “The story is a creation of the media. Lami ngikuzwe ephepheni (I also heard it in the newspaper). I am not happy with some sections of the media who only wants to cover politics. What about Peter’s recovery? Is that not a story? Have you ever come here asking about my health?”

Ndlovu was involved in a car crash that killed his brother Adam late last year.

Another of his brothers, Marko, also denied the reports.

Marko said: “As far as I know there is nothing like this. And even this mention of Obert Mpofu, I last heard of him at Adam’s funeral when he helped the family with burial arrangements.

Some reports claim that Mpofu, who is believed to be in the ZANU PF faction led by Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, wants Ndlovu to be the candidate for Makokoba in order to sideline Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube.

But Marko said: “This thing has taken us by surprise. There is nothing like that. This is just a rumour.”

Meanwhile Education Minister David Coltart also took to Facebook to comment on these unfolding events. He wrote: “I see that Football icon Peter Ndlovu has denied that he is going to stand on a Zanu PF ticket in the next elections. There has been so much hype regarding this story and I hope it will end now.

“Peter Ndlovu remains a Zimbabwean sporting hero whose reputation transcends partisan politics.”

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