ntly aware of the growing efforts at blocking his desire to stand for next year’s elections as well as keep the leadership status quo, has already deployed the political commissar, youths and women leaders on his side into the provinces, to send the message that the party is intact and doesn’t need any leadership renewal.
Zanu (PF) political commissar, Elliot Manyika confirmed to The Zimbabwean that, “we have our teams going to the provinces to mobilise our people, send a message of solidarity and make the record straight about the leadership issue”.
Zanu (PF) insiders say the pro-Mugabe officials visiting provinces are mainly carrying the message that there won’t be any need to discuss the leadership issue and that the provincial leaderships must not include the matter on agendas, either in their provinces or at the lowest levels.
The main objective is to block the matter from being included on the Zanu (PF) agenda when the party holds an expected extraordinary congress before the end of the year.
“The provinces are being convinced that there is no need for leadership change because the current leadership still has a valid mandate and is capable of leading the party into the elections,” a source from the Mujuru faction said.
“There is even the use of intimidation against party members, who are being told that there are dangers facing those that will be seen to be supporting the leadership change agenda because it originates from enemies of the party.”
Manyika, who is on the Mugabe faction, says the aged leader will stand for the ruling party at the presidential elections, claiming he has been endorsed and that he has a valid mandate. The Zanu (PF) constitution stipulates that the leader of the party is chosen at a congress and given a five-year mandate and Mugabe’s current tenure expires in 2009. However, the same constitution provides for the holding of a special congress as well as the removal of a leadership by the structures.
The tension continues to rise within Zanu (PF) and former finance minister Simba Makoni is believed to be preparing to launch a bid for the top position.
Post published in: News