Madzongwe, Khaya Moyo to become new VPs?

President Robert Mugabe failed to name his presidium on Saturday on the penultimate day of the 6th Zanu (PF) congress, but Edna Madzongwe and Simon Khaya Moyo are tipped to become his new deputies.

Edna Madzongwe
Edna Madzongwe

The 90 year old party leader said he would need until the middle of this week to name the presidium and politburo since he needed to familiarise with the names of the new central committee members from whom the top leadership would be chosen.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, the leader of the faction that has been on a warpath undercutting former vice president, Joice Mujuru, and her followers, is likely to settle for the crumbs.

The sources revealed that Mnangagwa is likely to be handed the administration secretary’s position after Mugabe repeatedly complained against party stalwarts who were at the centre of factional fights.

State media that he has used to de-campaign his rivals on Friday tipped him to become one of the co-vice presidents.

The highly placed source said Simon Khaya Moyo, the outgoing chair, will partner Madzongwe, the president of the senate who played an active role in elevating Grace Mugabe to become the women’s affairs secretary, replacing Oppah Muchinguri.

However, other contacts close to Mugabe confirmed that their boss was keeping his cards close to the chest and could still spring surprises.

They did not rule out Mnangagwa partnering with Phekezela Mphoko as the deputies while Mudenda might become the new chair and Madzongwe the secretary for administration.

Even if Mnangagwa might not land the post he has coveted for a long time as part of his ambition to succeed Mugabe, all those likely to get into the presidium, with the exception of Moyo, belong to his camp.

Critics say choosing Madzongwe and Moyo was Mugabe’s way of maintaining his supremacy as either lacks grassroots support and sufficient clout to succeed him.

Post published in: Mugabe Succession

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