By Tatenda Mabasa | Nehanda Mutare Bureau |
MUTARE – Zanu PF politburo member and its secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa on Monday ignited the succession debate when he told supporters at a rally in Buhera that President Mugabe was ready to hand over power to his deputy Joice Mujuru after elections.
Mutasa, who is the Presidential Affairs Minister and is reportedly eyeing the VP post under the Mujuru presidency, said Teurai Ropa was the automatic replacement for Mugabe, who is facing a tough contest against MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Wednesday’s make-or-break elections.
Mutasa is said to have made similar remarks as a campaign rally addressed by Mujuru to drum up support for key Mnangagwa ally Patrick Chinamasa in Rusape on Saturday before repeating them on Monday at William Mutomba’s Buhera North rally.
“There is consensus and we expect Amai Mujuru to be handed the button to lead the party and country by President Mugabe. VaMugabe is going to hand over power to her and there is no two ways about it. Some of us will make sure that happens, but we are not going to push President Mugabe to do that, but rather in the fullness of time. Let us be mindful of that, respect and honour her (as the next president) though she is a woman,” said Mutasa.
Mutasa said no one in Zanu PF could fit into Mugabe’s shoes other than Mujuru. He added that was why during her consecration to the VP post in 2004, Mugabe advised her to aim higher.
“She was told not to be content with the current post, but to aim higher. VaMugabe ndivo vari pamusoro, saka imi munoti zvairevei? Zvino isu vamwe tiri kuti aiwa, hazvingagumire ipapo, tinotarisira kuti vachaenda pachigaro chaVaMugabe kana nguva yakwana,” said Mutasa bluntly.
Chinamasa and Mutomba are vital cogs of the Mnangagwa faction. They were part of Mnangagwa loyalists who recently petitioned Mugabe to reign in Mutasa accusing him of destroying and fanning factionalism in Zanu PF in Manicaland.
The whirlwind tour by Mutasa is to drum up support for his nemesis at a time he was being de-campaigned by war veterans in his Headlands constituency where he is facing MDC-T and Chiendambuya mogul David Tekeshe, and Mujuru in the Mnangagwa dominated constituencies in Manicaland.
Analysts told Nehanda Radio that this was meant to boost the pair’s national profiles as all-embracing, non-discriminative, forgiving and mature leaders. Mujuru said Zanu PF was forced to stuff constituencies with candidates with military backgrounds due to a depletion of credible and people-centred leaders within the party’s rank and file.
She accused civilian leaders in the party of indiscipline, corruption and had a contemptuous perception of constituents. She openly admitted that the just-ended Zanu PF primary elections have seen more than a dozen candidates with military backgrounds winning the right to represent the party in general elections.
Serving and retired military personnel, police and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) threw their hats into the ring and won in the chaotic primary elections.
Former Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairman Retired Colonel Daniel Shumba will represent the party in Masvingo Central, Retired Major-General Mathias Tongofa (Chivi North), Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube (Makokoba), Retired Major Lungisani Nleya (Bulilima West), senior police officer Ronald Muderedzwa will contest in Buhera Central, while CIO tutor Francis Muchenje represents the party in Makoni North.
Former CIO director general Shadreck Chipanga is also eyeing a senatorial seat in Manicaland. Retired Colonel Hubert Nyanhongo is vying for Nyanga North, Assistant Commissioner Oliver Mandipaka, who is still serving, will represent Zanu PF in Buhera West, Retired Colonel Claudius Makova (Bikita West), war veteran Joseph Chinotimba (Buhera South) and former Security attaché at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London Winnie Mlambo is seeking to represent the party in Chipinge East.
“We said if you are a soldier, CIO or police officer with an appreciation of challenges facing the parents back home come and contest on a Zanu PF ticket. Tinoda vatungamiriri vane vanhu pamwoyo, kwete vanongofinga zvido zvavo chete,” said VP Mujuru.
Since Independence in 1980, the security sector, particularly the military, has played a significant role in the political and electoral affairs of the country. Key positions in Zanu PF’s commissariat department are already occupied by security personnel.
In 2010, Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena retired from the Air Force of Zimbabwe and joined the party where he is working with former CIO director-internal Sydney Nyanhongo.
However, the militarisation of Zanu PF, bringing it more under the control and direction of security actors, has shaken senior leaders who believe the increasing number of people with security backgrounds occupying high positions could destabilise the party and alienate it from voters.
