Rising tension in Zanu PF over Mujuru death

By Nkululeko Sibanda

Zanu PF is battling to contain tension and anger swelling within its ranks following the suspicious death of “kingmaker” retired army commander Solomon Mujuru. Zanu PF factions battling to succeed Robert Mugabe are said to be at each others’ throats over the controversial death of the popular former top army man.

Mugabe was expected to deal with an explosive situation on his return from the just-ended Sadc summit in Angola as party members point fingers at each other. The party moved swiftly to ban all party members, except spokesman Rugare Gumbo, from commenting on the death.

In another measure to contain the volatile situation, Mujuru’s wife, Joice asked for calm to cool tempers as tension gripped the party. Joice is Mugabe’s deputy in Zanu PF and government. Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Constantine Chiwenga followed this up yesterday by pleading against violence at a military funeral parade for Mujuru.

Mujuru was burnt beyond recognition at his Beatrice farm on Tuesday morning after a mysterious fire. He was so badly charred that his remains were packed in a plastic bag. Party members, particularly those aligned to his faction, are pressing for answers as the situation in the party remains explosive.

Zanu PF was already in turmoil before Mujuru’s death over the race to succeed Mugabe, who at 87, is at the end of his political career. Mugabe has led Zanu PF since the 1970s. His long stay and refusal to groom a successor has fuelled serious infighting among factions eyeing his post.

Mujuru led one of the main factions seeking to succeed Mugabe while Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa reportedly leads the other faction in the nasty succession battle that has torn the party apart.

The former army general’s suspicious death has plunged the party into new depths of volatility, with insiders and analysts warning the issue could turn bloodier if it was discovered that Mujuru’s death was a result of foul play.

“We agreed that all of us should now hear what is being said but should desist from saying anything that we want with regard to this matter,” Mutasa told mourners at Joice’s residence in Harare. We will confine the job of communicating the party’s views to the party’s spokesperson Rugare Gumbo. Isu vamwe tinofanira kubata miromo yedu (we should all keep quiet),” said Mutasa.

Joice pleaded with both party insiders and outsiders to stop fuelling allegations of foul play until investigations are completed. Chiwenga told people gathered for the military parade at 1 Commando Barracks in Harare that violence would only worsen the situation.

“He (Mujuru) was at the fore front of denouncing violence in all its forms and I call upon all Zimbabweans to desist from acts of lawlessness as these violate the core values of the liberation struggle,” said Chiwenga.

Police spokesman senior assistant commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said police were still carrying out investigations in the “full scale” probe launched after the incident.

Circumstances surrounding Mujuru’s death have left more questions than answers because of failure by authorities to satisfactorily explain how the veteran military man succumbed to the unexplained fire.

There are many loopholes to the issue that most people suspect foul play. In an interview with the Daily News, Gumbo sought to water down the tension. “We have said that police are investigating this matter and there seems to be some people pushing an agenda,” said Gumbo.

“There are people trying to tarnish the image of the party. There are forensic experts that have been called in to carry out research. Those investigations, coupled with those of the police, are what we should all be waiting for. We have to base our comments on facts and those facts are going to be published by the police after they have concluded their investigations,” Gumbo said. Daily News