HARARE – The ruling Zanu PF party in Zimbabwe on Saturday effectively endorsed Robert Mugabe (90) to be its presidential candidate in the 2018 elections meaning the octogenarian will be 94 years old if he lives that long.
The current Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda who is a Zanu PF member told the congress that the first recommendation was to endorse President Mugabe as their presidential candidate for the 2018 elections.
With Vice President Joice Mujuru and her allies either expelled, suspended, bullied or intimidated from attending the congress, it is expected that Mugabe will have his way while riding on a raft of constitutional amendments.
The amendments mean Mugabe can now make appointments of his deputies without the need for party elections.
The Zanu PF congress also confirmed Mugabe’s wife Grace as the new head of its women’s wing, underlining her swift political rise. Grace Mugabe’s appointment, which was approved by acclamation to the resounding cheers of 12,000 delegates, gives her a seat on the ruling party’s top decision-making Politburo.
Thousands of supporters chanted “Gushungo”, the president’s clan name, while others sang “VaMugabe”.
Mugabe, who looked grim-faced earlier in the proceedings, responded by rising to his feet inside a massive tent in central Harare and waving his black cap. There were no challenges to the president’s position.
“Thank you so much for showing that massive…” shouted ZANU-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo before the shouting crowds drowned him out.
There has been widespread speculation that Vice President Joice Mujuru will be pushed out of her post at this congress. Analysts said that Mugabe feared she had become so popular that she could replace him at the congress.
