On Monday Vice President Joyce Mujuru, wife to retired army general Solomon Mujuru, threw her weight behind Mugabe’s bid for a 6th term in office. Up until recently Makoni was thought to be sponsored by the Mujuru faction and enjoyed support from a significant section of Zanu (PF) members unhappy with Mugabe.
Her vice president Joseph Msika and party chairman, John Nkomo, have also distanced themselves from Makoni.
By the weekend only Dumiso Dabengwa and Cyril Ndebele had defected to his cause, together with former Zimbabwe Union of Democrats President Margaret Dongo and former Zanu secretary general, Edgar Tekere – who was expelled from the party some time ago.
On Sunday Makoni held a rally at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield with some media reports putting the crowds at between 3000 and 5000 people. During the rally Makoni alleged that the low turnout was because thousands of supporters were turned away by riot police who closed off Willowvale Road and ordered buses packed with supporters to turn back.
Tekere also addressed the rally and pledged to spend his time campaigning for Mugabe’s removal.
Our Harare correspondent, Tagu Mukwenyani, says Makoni seems to enjoy support from academics and members of the business community while ordinary people, identify Morgan Tsvangirai as the face of the struggle’.
Makoni created a buzz of expectation when he told journalists on the day of his campaign launch that there would be massive defections from within Zanu (PF) to his camp. But he has only managed to secure the backing of individuals who at best have been described as fringe Zanu (PF) members, such as education minister Fay Chung and former prosecutor Levison Chikafu.
“These are people who feel they have been mistreated by Zanu (PF). They have nothing to lose and in Makoni have found a convenient rallying point to vent their frustrations,” said a commentator.
On Saturday Makoni took his campaign to Bulawayo where around 5000 people were estimated at White City Stadium. Three candidates from the Mutambara MDC were introduced to the crowd. Rumours that John Nkomo would join the parade proved false as he did not turn up. – SW Radio Africa
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