FORMER Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies, both in
the ruling Zanu PF party and government, reportedly dumped his camp to save
their political skin after President Robert Mugabe last week gave the
greenlight for the massive purge.
The officials, many of whom have already been shortlisted
for disciplinary action for hobnobbing in Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste faction are
reportedly nicodemusly approaching top officials in the rival camp, pleading
for mercy and pledging to switch loyalty.
Mnangagwa was fired from government and Zanu PF last week
on allegations of plotting to topple Mugabe from power.
The axe is likely to fall on several Cabinet ministers and
politburo members who include Oppah Muchinguri (Water and Climate), Patrick
Chinamasa (Cyber Security), Kembo Mohadi (State Security), Christopher Mushohwe
(Presidential Scholarships), Josaya Hungwe (Psychomotor), among others.
“You will be surprised to see how people are making frantic
efforts to cleanse themselves. They are desperate to disassociate themselves
with Mnangagwa,” said a source who, however, declined to name the somersaulting
Zanu PF career politicians.
“We are talking of people who have known no other political
home except Zanu PF. They are knocking at every door to pledge loyalty to
Mugabe. Some are have started denouncing Mnangagwa openly and this week of
central committee elections, more will be coming.”
Chinamasa, who chairs the party’s national disciplinary
committee and is also on the firing line, yesterday refused to comment on the
matter.
“I cannot comment on that. Thank you,” he said.
Mohadi also refused to comment.
Mnangagwa’s known key ally, Daniel Mackenzie Ncube, who
chairs Zanu PF Midlands province publicly denounced the former VP at the party
headquarters last week after he was cornered and ordered to declare his
allegiance.
Another suspected Mnangagwa backer, Transport minister
Joram Gumbo acted as if it was business as usual when he officially renamed
Harare International Airport to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on
Thursday.
“They have to change with the winds otherwise they will be
fired, Mnangagwa stood there and denounced the likes of Victor Matemadanda and
Christopher Mutsvangwa when they were fired from the party. Why do these people
have to act any differently,” the source said.
Midlands provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri refused
to comment on the stance taken by the province on Mnangagwa.
However, a close source said the province was not going to
ditch their godfather although it will be difficult to be openly hostile to
Mugabe.
“We know the well-oiled violence machinery in Zanu PF, we
have been part of it, so being openly hostile at the moment is not in our best
interests, but Mnangagwa remains ours and he has our support. If you looked at
all the provincial chairmen who denounced ED, only Manicaland chairman Samuel
Undenge was sincere,” said the source.
In other provinces, Mnangagwa’s allies whose names were
forwarded for disciplinary action are reportedly pleading with their leadership
seeking for forgiveness.
Political analyst, Rejoice Ngwenya said it was predictable
that Zanu PF leaders will behave the way they are behaving. “Zanu PF
politicians are not gifted with courage. My take is that they will do what
Nicodemus did best — hide under the cover of darkness, lie prostrate at the
feet of Mugabe and tearfully ask for his mercy,” he said. Newsday
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