Edgar Tekere, Margaret Dongo, Simba Makoni have all become political non-entities since leaving the party. But Mujuru carries with her a liberation war reputation – the teenaged girl who shot down an enemy helicopter. The mysterious death of her influential husband was expected to weaken her, but the obvious assassination only added to her legend. From provincial elections held in the run up to the 2013 harmonised vote, Mujuru was the clear favourite.
Didymus Mutasa, former Zanu (PF) secretary for administration, was privy to a lot of party secrets, as was Mujuru. If Zanu (PF) has any dirt on Mujuru and her ousted allies, chances are she has as much explosive information on all of them, hence Mugabe’s failure to produce evidence of misconduct, other than water beetle jibber jabber. ‘If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles’ – The Art of War, Sun Tzu.
Newspaper columnist and party insider, Nathaniel Manheru, suggests Mugabe is nearing retirement. Heir apparent, Emmerson Mngangagwa, does not appear to enjoy the same level of public approval as Mujuru. If Mugabe was indeed contemplating retirement, the formation of a formidable Zanu (PF) splinter party will in all likelihood cause the President to postpone his exit from politics. He has made enemies of a large group of powerful people and these are individuals who, collectively, could figuratively plant pins and needles in the seat of his post-retirement rocking chair.