Zimbabwe: Zanu-PF in Turmoil

A SIEGE mood has engulfed ZANU-PF ahead of its elective congress possibly in the third quarter of this year with the bitter succession contest, an erstwhile hot potato in the ruling party, assuming a life of its own despite attempts by President Robert Mugabe early this year to quash subtle manoeuvres to succeed him. Ever since President Mugabe spoke out strongly against those girding their loins to take-over from him in the event that he retires during a televised interview to mark his 90th birthday in February, there have been epoch defining moments in the governing party that seem to suggest that the divisive conundrum can only end once a successor has been anointed.

With congress drawing nearer and President Mugabe not giving any hint regarding his options, as usual, ZANU-PF has been plunged into uncertainty once again at a time when the country's economy has entered a painful deflation mode. Whereas no one wanted to acknowledge the existence of factions in ZANU-PF in the past, the divisions are now so glaring that no amount of sugar-coating can hide their existence. Vice President Joice Mujuru and Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa ripped into those they perceive to be plotting to succeed the incumbent, describing them as "sell outs".

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