War Veterans Say Zanu PF Factionalism Leading to Violence, Party Split
They say the party should manage its succession debate well as the current factionalism crippling it may get out of hand.
WASHINGTON DC — Some war veterans warn that there will be violence before and after the Zanu PF congress in December if the party fails to properly handle its current crisis. The war veterans, including party spokesman Rugare Gumbo, say President Robert Mugabe’s party needs to put its act together as some heavyweights are currently forcing Vice President Joice Mujuru to resign. They claim that she is corrupt and not capable of being a vice president. Her rival faction, said to be led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, is also eyeing the presidential post. Mr. Mugabe, who is 90 years old, is believed to be now serving his last term of office. Mr. Gumbo dismisses suggestions that factionalism and violence will cripple the party. But war veteran Okay Ndlovu insists that Zanu PF has already split as the Mujuru and Mnangagwa factions are fighting for the control of the party ahead of the elective congress. Spokesman Avoid Masiraha says Zanu PF and the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai should hold peaceful congresses. Mr. Mugabe’s wife, Grace, has entered the political scene with indications that she will take over the powerful post of secretary of the Women’s League. She says there is nothing wrong for her to even take over the presidential post, which has been held by her husband for more than 34 years.