Sources within Zanu (PF) this week said the faction lobbying for Robert Mugabe to be endorsed as the candidate to represent the party has given money to war veterans leaders and using them to campaign for him. It was difficult to establish the amounts of funds reportedly used to bribe the war veterans leaders but insiders confirmed that the ongoing countrywide marches being conducted by war veterans in support of Mugabe’s candidature is part of the campaign programme.
“The war veterans leaders were paid to spearhead the campaign, which in addition to these marches, also includes lobbying within party structures through mainly intimidation to secure Mugabe’s backing,” a senior Zanu (PF) official said.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association vice president Joseph Chinotimba confirmed the war veterans are on a campaign trail to push for Mugabe’s endorsement. “We are saying he is the leader of the country and the party and we support him. He should stand at next year’s elections. We don’t need money to carry out our duty of protecting the country’s sovereignty,” he said.
Confidential information suggests that the militant war veterans are already planning to besiege the Zanu (PF) special congress in December and “use all tactics such as intimidation and if necessary chaos”, to ensure Mugabe retains the party presidency.
War veterans have already held marches in Harare and other towns and cities in support of Mugabe’s candidature. The Mugabe faction comprises political commissar Elliot Manyika and women’s league chair Oppah Muchinguri among other leaders.
Presiding over the worst declining economy in the world and accused of gross human rights abuses, Mugabe faces an end to his political career at the ruling party special congress in December. Earlier attempts to bulldoze his candidature by his surrogates within the party failed and immense pressure culminated into the leadership succumbing to the need for a special congress.
Zanu (PF) information secretary Nathan Shamuyarira has finally confirmed that the matter of electing the presidium will be the major item on the agenda. Mugabe’s long serving Vice President Joseph Msika, has already confirmed his stepping down at the special congress, leaving the geriatric leader under more pressure and exposed to concerted efforts at replacing him.
Vice President Joice Mujuru, Rural Housing minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and former finance minister Simba Makoni are expected to fight it out for the presidency of Zanu (PF) and automatically the right to represent the party at next year’s elections.
Post published in: News