President Robert Mugabe yesterday took several subtle digs at his deputy, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he accused bigwigs in his party of trying to grab power through unorthodox means.
by Everson Mushava/Tatenda Chitagu
Officially opening the Zanu PF annual conference in Masvingo yesterday, Mugabe said seniority in the party was no reason for underhand activities and making a play for power.
“There are rules and procedures of how things should be done,” he said.
“Others say they no longer want (Vice-President Phelekezela) Mphoko, no, we do not do that. Others say they no longer want Mugabe, so if you no longer want him, what do you think should be done when others still love him?
“It does not happen that way, whether you are a detainee, a war veteran or a long-serving member of the party.”
A section of the party, said to be linked to Mnangagwa — particularly former liberation war fighters — has been outspoken, calling for the axing of Mphoko, although recently, war veterans’ association chairperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa said they had no quarrel with Mugabe’s deputy.
In what is likely to embolden a faction known as G40 — said to be opposed to Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe — the Zanu PF leader said power in the party comes through votes and not by getting opponents arrested.
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“Power in the party comes through votes, you don’t get power by saying so and so should be arrested for me to take his post,” he said.
The G40 faction argues that Mnangagwa is unelectable and is said to be behind a push to have Vice-Presidents elected instead of appointed, as is the case, a resolution that many say is targeted at Mnangagwa.
On the other hand, Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo has claimed that the attempt to arrest him over fraud allegations was instigated by the faction said to be aligned to Mnangagwa, as the recriminations over the succession issue continue.
As if to balance the tongue-lashing, Mugabe also roasted party members who take to private and social media to attack fellow Zanu PF members.
“We do not address our grievances through Twitter and Facebook. The party has procedures,” he said.
The Zanu PF leader said he does not want newspapers used to settle political scores. This comes as the State media is increasingly becoming a battleground for factions, with G40 claiming they have been shut out of public media, where they are roundly blasted.
Mugabe accused senior party officials of fanning factionalism and abusing lower party structures to advance selfish factional interests, warning delegates to desists from being used by greedy politicians.
The President urged frank debate among delegates on resolutions by provincial structures so the conference would come out with resolutions that would add vibrancy to the party.
