TROUBLE FOR MUGABE AS MUJURU FACTION SCORES AGAIN By Itai Dzamara HARARE ZANU PF leader Robert Mugabe has suffered a huge setback and shall be back to the drawing board, after his bid to bring down the Mujuru faction flopped dismally. The camp led by Zanu PFs Vice President Joice Mujuru yesterday starved off spirited attempts to dismantle its huge gains, as it put up a fierce fight to resist Mugabes plot. The Zanu PF politburo meeting, which lasted 9 hours and 45 minutes, was characterised by verbal warfare and tempers flaring occasionally. Mugabe and his allies bid to nullify victories that were recorded by the Mujuru faction in vital provincial elections, as well as those of the youths and womens groups, failed after the Mujuru camp fought hard and, according to our sources, battled fire with fire. The News Leader is aware that prior to yesterdays meeting, the rival Mnangagwa faction and a team plotting the Mugabe mission, had mobilised and drawn up ways of attacking key aspects about the Mujuru factions gains. At yesterdays meeting, former Womens League secretary Oppah Muchinguri is said to have fired the first salvo by presenting the case of allegations of rigging of the youths and womens elections, as well as directly pointing fingers at secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa. It is reported that the matter sparked a verbal warfare. That lasted more than two hours and was characterised by angry outbursts, accusations and counter accusations, a source said. The Mujuru camp is said to have held firm and insisted on tangible evidence to prove allegations of kidnappings, intimidation and vote rigging. In the end, it became the word of one side against that of the other, the source said. Muchinguri and her colleagues are said to have presented lists of alleged cases of kidnappings and electoral irregularities, but which Mutasa is said to have dismissed as fictitious. Our sources say things came to a head when the Mnangagwa camp tried to move a motion for the nullification of all results from provincial, women and youth elections, further calling for fresh polls. That attempt effectively divided the meeting into two distinct camps and took matters to a point of stalemate, our source said. Mugabe, our sources say, had appeared willing to back and push for nullification of some of the results, especially those of the youth league. He, however, must have realised the huge danger that the attempts posed. There were hints from the Mujuru camp that attempting to nullify results could spark unrest and even revolts across the party structures and provinces. It was read and well understood by Mugabe and the other camp as having been a plan most likely already put in place by the Mujuru camp, another source said. Mugabe has become aware of the serious tensions that have gripped the Zanu PF structures, as well as the Mujuru factions massive strength that could spark chaos and protests, if he attempts to reverse their gains. Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo came out of the long meeting to try and positively portray the verbal warfare as no-holds-barred discussions and everyone spoke out their minds. Members of the Mujuru faction revealed huge excitement after the meeting, with one senior official saying to us, We have shown these fools that we are in control. That statement could have been meant to pour scorn over Mugabe, who, upon his return from China on Sunday, energetically tried to flex his muscles and assert his authority by claiming that, I am in control. It is becoming more apparent to Mugabe that the Mujuru faction is determined and resolved to take the battle to the wire. Mugabe has become under immense pressure as calls grow for him to step down. His deputy, Mujuru has consistently made her intentions to take over, very clear. The News Leader reported this week that China has also advised Mugabe to call time on his long reign, and making it clear that he has become an albatross to the nation. Another matter that dominated yesterdays meeting was the fight over senior party officials that have been coming out in the media making brazen attacks at their rivals, with Foreign Affairs deputy minister Chris Mutsvangwa going under the spotlight. That created a war atmosphere and came close to causing physical fights, a source said. Mujuru is said to have demanded an apology from Mutsvangwa, who came out in the media on several occasions, literally tearing her into pieces. The matter drifted towards long discussions about roles and abuse of the media in the Zanu PF wars. The Mujuru faction is reported to have openly attacked Information minister Jonathan Moyo and accused him of having abused state controlled media outlets for fighting rivals within the party. To the surprise of the meeting, Mugabe is said to have weighed in and expressed concern over the bad handling of our media, which he said must be brought to an end according to our source. The outcomes from yesterdays meeting effectively throw Mugabes plans into jeopardy and send him back to the drawing board. The Zanu PF leader has lately been waging a desperate fight to reverse the gains made by the Mujuru faction in order to push for his interests. Mugabe appears to be unwilling to reliquish power, and to the Mujuru faction, or allow it to sweep off key positions at the December congress. In a very desperate move, Mugabe recently dragged his wife Grace into the chaotic battles, and is pushing an agenda for her political stock to quickly rise. There has already been serious resistance against Graces bid to rise towards the throne, with Harare province having been discussed at yesterdays meeting following open defiance and calls for Grace to look for another home elsewhere. Although yesterdays meeting endorsed Graces entry into the power structures, sources say, it was apparent to Mugabe that the Mujuru camp would not allow for the plot to have his wife find a way towards taking over the leadership of the party. Mugabe is caught in a web of confusion and uncertainty, which have made him seriously consider fast-tracking his wife to succeed him. Having ganged up with the Mnangagwa faction, Mugabe has made his attempts at dismantling the Mujuru factions gains, which clearly are proving to have been way too late. Last night, a top member of the Mujuru faction boastfully told us, We will meet them at the congress if they still want to fight.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 05:29:59 +0000
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