The presidium comprises the First Secretary, Robert Mugabe, his deputy Joice Mujuru and the National Chairman, Simon Khaya-Moyo, also a former ambassador to South Africa.
In an exclusive interview with The Zimbabwean, Mutsvangwa who is also a central committee member and one of the party’s spin doctors, came out guns blazing saying no one person in Zanu (PF) was more special than others.
“Anyone in Zanu (PF)’s presidium who wants to champion a ruling oligarchy, impose candidates on the people and think leadership cannot be renewed by the people should leave the party,” said Mutsvangwa.
He described the presidium, which he said believed in protecting the small ruling class at the expense of leadership renewal, as “un-Zanu (PF), counter revolutionary and undemocratic”.
He joins the chorus of insiders and critics who have accused the leadership of shielding “dead wood” for the protection of their own interests. The old guard includes Didymus Mutasa, the Secretary for Administration, Joice Mujuru, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Sydney Sekeramayi, Herbert Murerwa, Olivia Muchena, Ambrose Mutinhiri and Patrick Chinamasa.
Other elderly Zanu (PF) luminaries are Kumbirai Kangai, Samuel Undenge, Oppah Muchinguri, Ignatius Chombo, Webster Shamu, Dzikamayi Mavhaiire, Samuel Mumbengegwi, Joseph Made, Rugare Gumbo, Joramu Gumbo and Chenhamo Chimutengwende.
Recently, there were emotional exchanges in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces over the retention of the old guard in the coming election. In Masvingo, factionalism reared its head over whether Mavhaire or former governor Josiah Hungwe was the “godfather” of the province following the death of Stan Mudenge.
In Manicaland, Mujuru is reported to have angrily demanded that Mutasa, who is said to belong to her camp, be recognised as the most senior party member in the province and therefore be not challenged in the poll.
Mutsvangwa reiterated that he should be quoted “properly” as he had a point to drive home. Zanu (PF) supporters besieged the party headquarters last Friday as they protested against the imposition of candidates ahead of party primaries. This forced the party to shift its primaries from June 24 to June 26. The date was later pushed back to June 25.
Mutsvanga also said the call by the MDCs and other political parties for reforms before elections was ‘nonsense’ and a ploy to effect regime change. “The MDCs’ reforms issue is an alternative strategy to cause regime change, after military means failed in 2008 through the UN Charter 7,” said Mutsvangwa. He called on them to realise that it is everyone’s responsibility to defend Zimbabwe against external enemies and those seeking to reverse gains of ‘our’ independence.
He said SADC, previously described by the MDCs as a Zanu (PF) sympathiser, was a mere club which has no jurisdiction over the courts.
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