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Zanu PF wars stall govt projects

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ZANU PF factionalism has reportedly stalled some government programmes as ministers from rival camps are snubbing events where they are supposed to jointly address.

ZANU PF factionalism has reportedly stalled some government programmes as ministers from rival camps are snubbing events where they are supposed to jointly address.

by MOSES MATENGA/OBEY MANAYITI

Ruling party insiders said the divisions were now also affecting Zanu PF and government business at provincial levels. The sources cited two recent events where Water, Environment and Climate minister Oppah Muchinguri allegedly snubbed a government ministers’ tour of Caledonia Farm and Moton Jaffray Waterworks where she was expected to officiate together with Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

“Ministers are aligned to factions and you find that they only appear to agree when the President (Robert Mugabe) is there, but do not unite to work together because of clashes,” the source said.

Ministers Mandi Chimene and Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri set side by side without talking for over two hours

Kasukuwere declined to comment over the matter, while Muchinguri was not reachable on her mobile phone. Sources also cited an incident which occurred two weeks ago where Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa almost addressed an empty stadium at the opening of the national youth games in Mutare as rival Zanu PF factions in Manicaland Province accused each other of causing the poor turnout.

In Manicaland, Muchinguri is allegedly fighting against Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene over control of the province. Both Chimene and Muchinguri attended the event and sat next to each, but avoided eye contact.

Zanu PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said he was unaware of the developments.

But, analysts warned that such fights were likely to continue as long as Zanu PF has not resolved the tension caused by last year’s purge of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and her alleged allies.

“That will continue as long as what happened in December is not resolved. There is nowhere an organisation can go through that and remain normal. Those are the after effects of the Tsunami and it will continue indefinitely. There will be new tensions, personality clashes, differences and contestation for power and also open confrontations. It will get worse,” academic Ibbo Mandaza warned.

Another analyst Takura Zhangazha said: “Any real or perceived fights in the ruling party will lead to personal bickering and bitterness between serving ministers in government.”

“This will also lead inevitably to lapses in concentration on the implementation of government policies in favour of pursuing factional fights and victories. Internal party disputes must also be seen to be distinct from those of Cabinet and government. This will inevitably lead to challenges in government policy implementation,” Zhangazha said.