Zanu heavies battle for Msika’s post

matic succession race, Msika, who took up the vice presidency in 1999 following the death of Joshua Nkomo, has shot down reports that he has signaled his intention to bid farewell.
Msika reportedly asked Mugabe last year if he could quit, but his request was shot down by his boss, who feared the resignation could spark intense jockeying – specially given the current internecine warfare in Zanu (PF) over Mugabe’s throne.
There has been strong speculation that Msika could retire to pave way for Zanu (PF) national chairman John Nkomo in the scramble to succeed Mugabe.
Other contenders are former Zipra intelligence supremo Dumiso Dabengwa and Industry and International Trade minister Obert Mpofu.
Msika is said to favour Nkomo. But Nkomo indicated last year that he was eyeing the presidency, not the deputy position.
Zanu (PF) spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira is on record suggesting that Nkomo and Joice Mujuru were frontrunners in the Mugabe succession race.
Nkomo was elected unopposed at the 2004 congress for the position of national chairman following Mugabe’s delicate tribal balancing act following the eruption of sharp differences over the so-called Tsholotsho debacle.
Mugabe, who has claimed some of his lieutenants were hunting for lucky charms to enhance their chances, has snubbed growing calls for him to retire in 2008 when his current term of office expires. He claims he will continue at the helm of Zanu (PF) because his party needs him now more than ever, although reports suggest that ruling party heavyweights are likely to reject his continued stay in power at the forthcoming December convention.
Ruling party sources said the agenda for the Zanu (PF) conference has already been set and it includes the usual themes of land, the economy, corruption, international relations, elections and the setting up of a “Chitepo Ideological College.”
However, the meeting could be largely dominated by behind-the-scenes manoeuvres for power.
Meanwhile, State Security minister Didymus Mutasa was also said to be eyeing the vice presidential post in the escalating succession battle. Sources said Mutasa, who also oversees the Land and Resettlement portfolio, was eager to throw in his name although it will tilt the power scales in favour of the Shona. Sources said Msika’s succession battle was likely to be played out in Matabeleland and not anywhere else.