By Tendai Kamhungira
Zanu PF’s Gokwe-Nembudziya MP, Justice Mayor Wadyajena has attacked the party’s political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, accusing him of rigging the Norton by-election.
The ruling party’s little-known Ronald Chindedza lost to independent candidate, Temba Mliswa — a former Zanu PF legislator and staunch President Robert Mugabe supporter — in the fiercely-contested poll.
Writing on his Twitter page, Wadyajena did not mince his words, in a development that has become synonymous with the Zanu PF succession wars.
“A commissar who rigs polls is like a doctor who kills patients. Not fit for purpose,” he said.
Wadyajena is largely seen as Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sympathiser in the battle to succeed Mugabe.
Going by the moniker Team Lacoste, Mnangagwa’s camp is rabidly opposed to the other party faction known as Generation 40 (G40) — a group believed to comprise Kasukuwere, Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo, First Lady Grace Mugabe, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and Mugabe’s nephew, Patrick Zhuwao.
As the factional wars continue to devour the party, individuals have become increasingly open on their allegiance and throw punches at every turn.
The attack on Kasukuwere is on the back of claims that he imposed Chindedza’s candidature, despite him being unpopular with the Norton electorate.
The Zanu PF political commissar ended up being embroiled in a rigging storm, in which he was accused of propping up Chindedza at the expense of deserving candidates.
Mugabe went on to castigate the party’s leadership for allowing Chindedza, whom he labelled a “thief”, to contest in the by-election.
Zanu PF wars continue escalating and only recently, Moyo launched a stinging attack on Mnangagwa, threatening to sue him for pushing for his arrest on corruption allegations.
Moyo, who is facing corruption allegations involving over $400 000 reportedly siphoned from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund, claims the charges are a creation of the other Zanu PF faction.
He said he was being targeted by Mnangagwa, for being a “stumbling block” to Mnangagwa’s ascendency to the presidency.
Kasukuwere had not responded to a text message seeking his response by the time of going to print. Daily News
