By Mugove Tafirenyika
HARARE – One month after Zanu PF’s damp-squib “elective” congress, that was supposed to put paid to the debilitating culture of fear, plotting and factionalism within the party, Transport minister Obert Mpofu’s government offices were “mysteriously” broken into yesterday morning.
This came amid allegations that a fresh wave of ugly infighting is sweeping through the ruling party, as former allies in the broad group that worked together to annihilate former Vice President Joice Mujuru
turn against each other for a share of the spoils.
In a statement yesterday, police national spokesperson Charity Charamba described the break-in at Mpofu’s Kaguvi Building offices in Harare as “unlawful entry with intent unknown” — adding that nothing had been stolen during the break-in.
“An unknown accused person (sic) forced open three (3) doors at Kaguvi Building, 16th Floor, in Harare and tried to enter into Cde Mpofu’s office and failed.
“The ZRP has stepped up surveillance on all government buildings and will take stern action against anyone who will be found trying to cause alarm and despondency on government officials,” Charamba said.
This is not the first time that the offices of senior politicians have been broken into in the past few weeks.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reported two major break-ins recently, as Zanu PF’s factional and succession wars continue unabated.
And despite spirited attempts by politiburo members Jonathan Moyo, Savior Kasukuwere, President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao — alleged kingpins of the so-called “Gang of Four” that includes Oppah Muchinguri — to present a picture of a united Zanu PF, there are growing claims that there is serious disquiet within the party over how positions were allocated after its congress.
Vice presidents Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko have borne the brunt of most of the recent infighting, amid claims that the two have been the biggest “undeserving” beneficiaries of Mujuru’s decimation.
As the infighting has raged on, a poisonous substance was allegedly sprinkled on Mnangagwa’s office desk last month, which left his aides who entered the office first battling for their lives after inhaling it.
In the run-up to the congress, Moyo and Mpofu allegedly locked horns in an explosive politburo meeting, with the Information minister apparently insulting the Transport minister, saying he had the brains of a rat.
Moyo accused Mpofu, who was in charge of Zanu PF’s Matabeleland North congress preparations of unilaterally and unprocedurally orchestrating the withdrawal of the nomination to the central committee of the speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda.
At the centre of Mpofu’s ructions with Mudenda towards congress was believed to be a dogfight for the party’s powerful post of national chairman — that has since been done away with by Mugabe.
So vicious was the exchange between Mpofu and Moyo, that Moyo pummelled Mpofu with a furious tirade that forced the burly minister to withdraw into his shell after Mugabe supported the garrulous Information Czar.
Mpofu, who often hilariously and dutifully signs his official letters to Mugabe as “Your most obedient son”, was also reported to have been given a torrid time by Cain Mathema who allegedly slammed him for bragging about his wealth.
Mathema also allegedly accused Mpofu of being power-hungry and that he was overzealous in his attempt to be recognised as the most visible politician in Matabeleland North. Daily News
