Zanu (PF) was however said to be split in the campaign strategies to be used while the MDC had dispatched teams nationwide to seek support for possible fresh elections. Sources within the Zanu PF partys politburo said there was a rift between the two factions, one comprising retired Army General Solomon Mujuru, his wife Joice and Savior Kasukuwere and the other one led by Emmerson Mnangagwa and Opha Muchinguri on the methods of campaign that will help them win.
The sources said the Mujuru led faction wanted violence to be used as a campaign strategy while the Mnangagwa led fanction wanted the use of churches. Zanu (PF) last month, through its new campaign strategy document titled Reinvigorating the Party, which leaked to the media stressed that they should use churches to gain political support. Since then senior members of the party had been seen at various churches, particularly at the Johane Marange Apostolic congregations because of its huge following.
Mnangangwa and Muchinguri have adopted a persuasive campaign to win the hearts of the people, and together with the party political commissar Webster Shamu have been engaging church leaders. Kasukuwere and his Mujuru faction are urging that without beating up people no election will be won. They have asked that since when have Zanu (PF) win elections without intimidating the electorate?
The church especially the Johane Marange has also been divided as Kasukuwere and his faction have infiltrated it with CIO operatives to destroy it. The church leadership has gone on to tell the party President that the Mujuru faction wants to eliminate them, said the source.
The sources said the party had taken advise from the firebrand South Africas ANC youth leader Julius Malema who told them that they should resort to other means of campaigning other than violence. During his visit in April Malema publicly told president that he should desist from political violence if his party was to win the next election.
Meanwhile the MDC-T was preparing for elections with teams being sent nation-wide to encourage people to participate in all national events such as the drafting of the constitution due this week and acquiring national registration documents. Speaking to The Zimbabwwean the party National Organising Secretary Morgan Komichi said:”The party is carrying out a nation-wide campaign to encourage people to register for elections. We are hitting the final nail on the coffin. We are removing fear in the people as we are aware that people are still scared to participate in national events.
“MDC is 100% confident that elections will be held next year. We are calling the whole nation especially the youths to register as voters, we want them to acquire birth certificates and national identity papers so that they will be able to exercise their democratic right,” he said. Apart from Arthur Mutambara, the leader of the smaller MDC formation, all principals in the GNU include President Robert Mugabe of Zanu (PF) have been saying that elections will be held next year.
This declaration by the political leaders has raised questions on the country’s readiness for fresh elections, especially with state institutions still pro Mugabe. But the MDC says that this time around the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Africa Union should bring in peace keepers to monitor the elections. “We believe in free and fair elections and whereas the 1970 war was fought through the barrel of the gun, this time our war will be fought through the ballot.” Said Komichi.
Post published in: News