Mujuru will beat Mnangagwa: Wikileaks

The cable attributed its claim to the election of Women’s Affairs Minister, Olivia Muchena, as leader of the Mujuru-led Zanu (PF) Women’s League.

“The Women’s League election indicates that the Mujuru faction remains a strong force within Zanu (PF) – as strong, if not stronger than the Mnangagwa faction – and Joice Mujuru is a strong candidate to succeed Mugabe,” said the cable.

Pre-election chances

Mujuru, considered a reformist by the United States, had greater chances of replacing Mugabe if he died before the elections.

“It is an open secret that the Mujuru faction would like to see Mugabe go. Having failed to accomplish this at the last two Zanu (PF) conferences, the vice-president, her husband Solomon Mujuru, and their allies, are not directly working against Mugabe, but are trying to build up their faction to position themselves for a succession battle in the future,” said the cable.

Support land audit

“While we broke no new ground with Mujuru, we will maintain contact. She may well be the next president of Zimbabwe if Mugabe leaves the scene before elections,” said United States embassy charge d’affairs, Donald Petterson, after meeting Mujuru at her home in Harare on September 23, 2009.

During the meeting, Mujuru defended the progress of the inclusive government, but said elections might not take place for some time. Mujuru acknowledged problems with the implementation of the land reform programme and said she supported a land audit.

The Vice President also told the US Charge that Mugabe had authorised a committee to study the succession issue and report to the Politburo, which she said was the first time that succession had been discussed openly.

Commenting on violent farm seizures, Mujuru took great pains to state that as a Christian and a liberation fighter who had fought for peace she would never condone violence.