Dumisani Muleya
17 October 2007
Johannesburg — A NEW wave of political instability is rippling through the fragmented ruling Zanu (PF) party after President Robert Mugabe enlisted a notorious war veteran to whip up support ahead of the party's critical extraordinary congress in December.
Mugabe recently reinstated via the back door dismissed party member and vocal war veterans' leader Jabulani Sibanda to campaign for his endorsement as Zanu (PF)'s candidate for next year's presidential elections.
The move has further divided the party and heightened instability before the crucial congress at which Mugabe will desperately be seeking endorsement as the party's presidential election candidate next March.
It has also raised fresh fears Zanu (PF) could split if Mugabe continues to provoke worsening factionalism and infighting.
The step has angered senior party officials, especially from Matabeleland, including Mugabe's deputy Joseph Msika and party chairman John Nkomo, who feel Sibanda's unlawful return to the fold is fanning divisions and internal strife.
Sibanda is holding rallies around the country, urging party members to back Mugabe in December.
Mugabe failed to secure outright support for his candidacy during the party's conference last December and at the central committee meeting in March. He is expected to browbeat his candidacy at the meeting.
Zanu (PF) administration secretary Didymus Mutasa said at the weekend the congress would endorse Mugabe as the candidate, while spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira said last week all the top four party positions -- president, two deputies and chairman -- would be up for grabs.
War veterans want Mugabe nominated unopposed but senior party leaders are distancing themselves from the veterans.
Sibanda was fired from the party in 2004 after accusations by Mugabe that he was part of a faction led by senior party official Emmerson Mnangagwa plotting to oust him. A number of other party officials linked to the alleged plot where either suspended or dismissed at the time.
Zimbabwe is in recession following a failed land seizure programme implemented by Mugabe in 2000. Zimbabwe has the world's fastest-shrinking peacetime economy and the highest inflation rate, estimated at 6593% in August.
Mugabe, who faces discontent among the ruling elite over the economy and an internal power struggle, is now working with the Mnangagwa camp and Sibanda to fend off political pressure from an influential rival faction led by retired army commander Gen Solomon Mujuru.
Mujuru, husband of Deputy President Joyce Mujuru, wants Mugabe out.
Others in the running are politburo member Simba Makoni and Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono.
Mugabe's succession crisis deepened last week after war veterans and the Zanu (PF) Bulawayo leadership clashed over a solidarity march by the former combatants. The war veterans marched despite Zanu (PF) arguing its organiser, Sibanda, had been expelled from the party.
Zimbabwe 's dollar has halved in value on the black market this month amid speculation that the central bank will devalue the official rate next month.
The currency, officially pegged at 30000 against the US dollar, traded at 750000 on the streets of Harare yesterday, compared with 400000 on October 1, a currency trader said. With Bloomberg
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