Rebellion and a challenge for Mugabe

HARARE – Senior allies of Robert Mugabe, including his first deputy, Joseph Msika, are the brains behind Simba Makoni’s dramatic rebellion last week, sources close to the mutiny told ZimOnline at the weekend.
They said former Finance Minister Makoni, who shook Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu (PF) when he announced last Tuesday that he would challenge Mugabe in next month’s presidential poll, was also working with party politburo members John Nkomo, Solomon Mujuru, Vitalis Zvinavashe and Dumiso Dabengwa among other heavyweights.
Nkomo is Zane (PF) Chairman, while Mujuru, Zvinavashe and Dabengwa are former commanders of the ZANLA and ZIPRA guerrilla armies that fought for Zimbabwe’s independence under the leadership of Mugabe and the late Joshua Nkomo.
Mujuru and Zvinavashe are former commanders of Zimbabwe’s army and together with Dabengwa are believed to wield substantial influence within the country’s security force that still comprise significant numbers of former guerillas especially in higher echelons.

Eight out of 10 support
Makoni, who commands considerable respect across the political divide and in business circles, enjoys the support of eight out of Zanu (PF)’s 10 provincial executives, according to sources who are all active members of the party and spoke on condition they were not named.  
Mugabe’s home province of Mashonaland West and Midlands province, controlled by presidential aspirant Emmerson Mnangagwa, are the two provinces that do not support Makoni.  
Zanu (PF) spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira dismissed as mere speculation suggestions that some top leaders of the party were backing Makoni, insisting the ruling party remained solidly behind Mugabe – its leader since the ’70s.  
Shamuyarira said: “The party is only aware of Makoni’s decision to leave the party and contest the March presidential election as an independent candidate. President Mugabe has the support of the whole presidium and other members of the politburo are solidly behind him.  
“As far as the party is concerned, there is speculation that some members of the politburo were behind Makoni and we cannot waste time on speculation when elections are around the corner.”  
However, sources said the Zanu (PF) bigwigs, led by Mujuru, began plotting in earnest the move to oust Mugabe after a party conference in December 2006 when it became clear that the octogenarian leader would not quit power voluntarily. 
The Mujuru group, which adopted Makoni as its front man, successfully blocked Mugabe’s bid at the December conference to extend his rule to 2010 without going to the ballot, but the cunning President made an about-turn and offered himself to stand as Zanu (PF)’s candidate in next month’s election. 
When the Zanu (PF) central committee met in March 2007 to adopt the resolutions passed at the Goromonzi conference, Msika openly challenged a resolution proposed by the party’s women’s league to declare Mugabe President for life. 
“Msika was backed by Dabengwa and Makoni. This did not go down well with Mugabe who voiced his concern,” one of the sources said. The resolution was promptly dropped. – ZimOnline