ZANU PF should STOP nationalising private affairs!
Written by Administrator Friday, 27 April 2012 15:11
Former ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) supporters are reportedly embroiled in a long standing succession battle which seems to have recently attracted a lot of media hype. Although there is nothing new about the factionalism within the party it seems to be interfering with national processes particularly the constitution making process which is seemingly stalled due to disagreements within the factions.
Zimbabwe is currently undergoing a constitution making process whose outcome will determine the future of the country. While ZANU PF has continuously accused the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of stalling progress in the process, it seems the truth has finally come to light that the political party is the chief culprit in delaying progress. Reports abound that ZANU PF is divided over the constitution making process with ‘the hard-liners’ within the political party fighting tooth and nail to derail the process. The hardliners have even defied demands by their party leader, President Robert Mugabe for the quick finalisation of the process during cabinet held on the 24th of April.
Whilst the hardliners are sabotaging the process, others within the political party want a specific clause for entry and exit age limits for the office of the president to be captured in the constitution to ensure chances of sharing the national cake. These in fights are holding the nation at ransom as some ZANU PF members in COPAC have come up with demands that could delay the constitution making process. Zimbabweans have been waiting for the new constitution for more than two years and it seems that they will continue waiting until the ZANU PF resolves its differences. Can the progress of a whole nation be dictated by a few political players? Should ZANU PF be nationalising its internal wars?
Are the chickens coming home to roost?
The infighting within the beleaguered party has reportedly intensified following the party’s District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections which were held early this year. The DCC elections were reportedly marred by intimidation, violence, vote rigging and imposition of candidates. Does this sound familiar? What is happening in the provinces is a microcosm of the macrocosm, a reflection of ZANU PF‘s behaviour at a national level of imposing candidates, intimidating opponents, using violence as a weapon and vote rigging. It seems elements within the party are prepared to use any trick available to win an election and subvert the will of the people.
ZANU PF’s political commissar, Webster Shamu’s grand scheme to strengthen the party ahead of national elections has met resistance from Bulawayo, Mashonaland West, Midlands, Matebeleland North, Masvingo and Mutare. Supporters have seen the exercise ‘aimed at elbowing out party big wigs from parliamentary election race’. Masvingo and Mutare provincial offices were reportedly closed over the clashes. The protracted rivalry fights over the succession of President Mugabe has resulted in the emergence of numerous factions including Vice President Joice Mujuru, Minister of Defence Emerson Mnangagwa and serving securocrat General Constantine Chiwenga led factions.
However, the alleged leaders of the factions, VP Mujuru and Minister Mnangagwa have pledged their allegiance to President Mugabe and dismissed the media reports. Analysts have pointed out that the news on factionalism can be a ploy by Mugabe to convince the party that he alone can lead the party.
Ironically while leadership renewal is being questioned within ZANU PF and at national level the party endorsed Mugabe as their presidential candidate at the next elections unopposed. President Mugabe who is racing against time has on numerous occasions, called for elections this year with or without a new constitution. However, the recent sparks of defiance in the provinces can be described as growing discontent among party supporters and growing agitation for new blood. President Mugabe who has led the party and country for more than 30 years should however resolve the leadership renewal or risk possible spilt of the party which might plunge the country into chaos.
Political flip flopper Professor Jonathan Moyo has reacted to these in fights with venom in a move said to be aimed at pleasing the party’s octogenarian leader. Professor Moyo named faction leaders ‘riffraff and shallow minded schemers’. Moyo himself was implicated in the infamous flopped Tsholotsho declaration in 2005 and is on record as calling for leadership renewal within ZANU PF after his fallout from the party in 2008. Since the beginning of the constitution making process Moyo has criticised the process, calling for the disbanding of COPAC.
Whatever the challenges facing ZANU PF, Mugabe, Mujuru, Mnangagwa and Chiwenga must put their house in order and stop nationalising their private affairs!