Robert Mugabe and the faction loyal to VP Emmerson Mnangagwa have consistently denigrated Mujuru since October 2014, when Grace Mugabe made unproven accusations of corruption and insurgency against her.
Obviously the intention was to isolate the influential former VP from her most powerful supporters – Mutasa, Goche, Kaukonde, Mliswa, Nhema, Bhasikiti, Sibanda and Gumbo – in order to diminish her chances in party internal elections that had been scheduled for December. Sensing victory for Mujuru in the December “elective” congress, Mugabe and Mnangagwa changed strategy and amended the party’s constitution, giving full powers to Mugabe to handpick his executive. If you can’t win an election, get rid of the election altogether.
Simon Khaya Moyo, who himself missed expulsion by a whisker for alleged loyalty to Mujuru, was tasked with reading the list of charges. These included planning to sabotage Zanu (PF)’s campaign in the 2008 elections, abusing structures to create a centre of power, behaviour unbecoming of a VP, corruption and plotting to remove Mugabe from office.