This means the top team will have no mandate from the membership of the party whatsoever. Zanu has shown itself, yet again, to be a dictatorial party which does not respect even its own constitution.
Mujuru’s sympathisers, who had been elected by the various provinces, were unceremoniously kicked out after a well-coordinated and carefully choreographed “vote of no confidence” which was, with indecent haste, rubber-stamped by the politburo. This was in contravention of the party’s own constitution, which says only the central committee has the power to suspend or sack provincial leaders.
None of the accused was given the chance of a fair hearing. The accusers were the prosecutors, the jury and the judge. Natural justice demands that they be given a chance to defence themselves. A party that does not believe in internal democracy or justice cannot be trusted to uphold the same at the national level.
Zanu (PF) members have made a terrible mistake in surrendering their right to choose their leaders for themselves. One day they will regret this act of stupidity.
People may have forgotten, but we have been here before. In 2004 – when the Mnangagwa camp managed to get its followers elected to the provincial leadership, Mnangagwa was well-poised to be elected to the post of Vice President without doubt. But he was accused of plotting to topple Mugabe.
Just before congress, the provincial leaders were accused of being coup plotters, suspended and sacked. The party’s constitution was quickly amended to decree that one of the vice presidents must be a woman – paving the way for Joice Mujuru to be elected. Mnangagwa licked his wounds in the wilderness.
But that amendment is likely to be thrown out at this week’s congress – paving the way for Mnangagwa’s appointment. It is clear that the party’s constitution is designed, and changed at will, to serve only the interests of the master puppeteer.
A final word of caution to those who think victory is now theirs – don’t celebrate too soon. Mugabe has been known to spring a surprise.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga