HARARE – Political infighting within Zanu (PF) took a new twist last week amid revelations that the faction led by defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning a major fight-back to regain control of the party by exploiting the regional and ethnic fault-lines

Well-placed sources said the Mnangagwa faction, whose bid to get a
foothold in the powerful Zanu (PF) presidium suffered a serious blow
during the party’s congress last December, is plotting a fight-back
that could see it breaking away either to form a new party on its own
or to form some sort of alliance with other forces outside Zanu (PF).

The formation of a breakaway movement – drawing from existing Zanu
(PF) structures – or creation of alliances with outside forces was
allegedly mooted during a meeting of senior officials from the party
held in Gweru on December 25.

Christmas party
The meeting, disguised as a Christmas party and held at a farm just outside Midland capital, was allegedly chaired by former Zanu (PF) provincial chairperson July Moyo and attended by several high-ranking officials including readmitted Tsholotsho Member of Parliament Jonathan Moyo – and all of them Mnangagwa allies.

Moyo, who was re-admitted into Zanu (PF) at the party’s congress last
December and was immediately appointed as a member of the
Matabeleland North central committee, is seen as the master-mind of
the so-called Tsholotsho debacle which sought to change the power
dynamics within Zanu (PF) five years ago.

Sources claimed others who also attended the steering committee meeting in Gweru, are former Manicaland provincial chairman Mike Madiro, and Member of
Parliament for Mutare South, Fred Kanzama.

The full list of people that attended the private gathering could not
be immediately ascertained although it is thought that nearly all
disgruntled party members were in attendance with Flora Bhuka
reportedly the only female in attendance.

Sources said the Mnangagwa “schemers” were plotting Tsholotsho Part II
in 2010 in an attempt to regain control of Zanu (PF) after the
faction’s dismal showing during elections held at the 2009 congress.

However some Zanu (PF) allies of Mnangagwa, who spoke to The Zimbabwean on Sunday on condition they were not named, dismissed Midlands meeting as a mere
festive celebration where they were no formal discussions of either Zanu (PF) or national politics.

“It would be stupid or political suicide to do that (launch a
political party). He is going to continuing fighting from within,”
said a source known to be close to Ngwena, the nickname in which
Mnangagwa is affectionately known by his supporters.

Mujuru faction
The other Zanu (PF) faction battling for the soul of the party is
linked to retired army general Solomon Mujuru, the husband of Vice
President Joice Mujuru, who is currently the acting President in the
absence of President Mugabe who is holidaying in the Far East.

It is said the meeting took six hours of intense deliberations with
Jonathan Moyo taking the opportunity to appraise his colleagues about
the detailed plans based on his research and on reflections
of what had taken place at the congress and the new game plan.

Mngangwa and Moyo were not immediately available for comment.

At the recently held Zanu (PF) congress, the faction led by retired
general Solomon Mujuru completely decimated the Mnangagwa wing,
leaving the man whose closeness to President Robert Mugabe earned him
the title of ‘Son of God’ in serious danger of losing out on the
battle to succeed the veteran leader as party president and first
secretary.

The 63-year-old Mnangagwa is a sly politician who has long been touted
as Mugabe’s possible successor but his star has dimmed since 2004 when
he was accused of plotting against his boss.

Please login to post your comments.

More Featured Articles