Zanu PF crisis deepens

By Lloyd Mbiba and Fungi Kwaramba

HARARE – As the succession war in Zanu PF escalates to unprecedented levels, the faction-ridden party called for an emergency meeting at its headquarters Wednesday to try and put a lid on the damaging public fights being waged on who will succeed President Robert Mugabe.

While party officials were cagey on the details of the meeting, the Daily News has been reliably informed that Zanu PF’s 10 provincial chairpersons have been summoned to the gathering to be chaired by the national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo.

However, Khaya Moyo could neither confirm nor deny the meeting yesterday, saying: “Who told you that?”

But well-placed sources told the Daily News that the meeting was called to restore order in the beleaguered party.

The meeting comes as acting president Mujuru and the party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, have come under a barrage of attacks from some junior party officials such as
Chris Mutsvangwa.

Youths in Manicaland told the Daily News yesterday that Mutsvangwa should “shut up” or face the consequences.

The Manicaland Youth League vice chairperson, Mubuso Chingunu, said the “Zanu PF vanguard” is worried about rising indiscipline in the party.

“We met on Monday and as the youths of Manicaland, we condemn what Mutsvangwa is doing in both government and the party,” he said.

“This idea of attacking the party leadership destroys the organisation. If they (those attacking) do not stop, we will take action.” The tough-talking deputy minister has in recent weeks denigrated his Foreign Affairs boss Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Mutasa and Mujuru, officials who sit in the party’s powerful politburo, where he has no seat.

A provincial chairperson who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the succession wars have ballooned out of control.

“Provincial chairpersons requested a meeting with the national chairperson,” said the official.

“As the provincial chairpersons, we are worried about the indiscipline in the party, for instance what is happening in Harare, where the party officials are trying to use the name of
the First Lady for their personal gain. This should be stopped and the likes of Mutsvangwa should be disciplined.

“Provincial chairpersons have no problems with the First Lady becoming the Women’s League chairperson contrary to what is being peddled in some sections of the media. We would also
like the presidium to remain what it is.” The presidium, which is defined as a permanent executive committee selected especially in Communist countries to act for a larger body, presently consists of Mugabe, Mujuru, Moyo and Mutasa.

However, plans are afoot from a rival faction led by Justice Minister Emerson Mnangagwa to change the presidium composition.

Mujuru, Mutasa and Moyo are likely to be challenged at the congress while the 90-year-old Mugabe’s position will remain uncontested. The provincial chairpersons — the majority of whom are believed to belong to Mujuru’s faction — would prefer the status quo to remain. Daily News