In Mutasa South last week, Women’s League boss, Oppah Muchinguri’s arm was fractured in a fist-fight with ruling party colleague Irene Zindi.
A fracas at the extra-ordinary Zanu (PF) congress last week was beamed live on national television. Mugabe was forced to rise from his seat and quell a potential fist- fight between Nkomo and war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda – who had attempted to deliver a solidarity message to the congress despite his suspension from the party in 2004.
The Zimbabwean heard that ruling party heavyweights are nervous about retaining their constituencies. Tension has been fuelled by Mugabe’s declaration that no one will hold a ministerial post without winning a Parliamentary seat.
The hostilities involve senior officials such as political commissar Elliot Manyika, defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi and higher education minister Stan Mudenge.
In Bindura, Manyika was desperately shrugging off a fierce challenge in the primaries from businessman Kenneth Musanhi, who is emerging a clear favourite.
In Marondera East, Sekeramayi has come under intense pressure amid reports that three ruling party candidates are vying for his seat.
War veteran, Wilfred Marimo, and Urban Councils chairman, Jerry Gotora, are determined to unseat the Defence chief. Mashonaland East political commissar Lawrence Katsiru, who until recently was facing rape charges, is also said to be eyeing the constituency.
Ministers Stan Mudenge and Paul Mangwana have been accused by aspiring candidates in their constituencies, Masvingo North and Kadoma East respectively, of using dirty tricks in their campaigns.
The Zimbabwean heard that Retired Major Kudzai Mbudzi, who is currently suspended as Zanu (PF) Masvingo spokesman over remarks he made slamming the “million men march,” was eyeing Mudenge’s seat.
Zanu (PF) spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira described the chaos in his party as “little fights” that did not necessarily mean the party was disintegrating.
“The infighting demonstrates that there is democracy in Zanu (PF), which should not be a serious problem to anyone,” Shamuyarira said. “Little fights are prevalent in several other political organizations, including powerful western governments.”
Post published in: News