The squabbling in Zanu PF which culminated in the takeover
of government by the army nearly a fortnight ago has become a tale of the three
Moyos — Jonathan, Simon Khaya and Sibusiso.
At the centre of the Zanu PF fighting was Higher and Tertiary
Education minister Jonathan Moyo, who was accused of being the kingpin of a
Zanu PF faction known as the Generation 40 (G40), which was rabidly opposed to
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendency to the presidency.
The ruling party was embroiled in serious factional fights,
with parties aimed at taking over from former president Robert Mugabe, who has
since resigned.
But the dramatic turn of events has been played with the
involvement of the Moyos from different ends — Jonathan Moyo, Zanu PF national
secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya Moyo and Major General
Sibusiso Moyo from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Jonathan Moyo is said to have played a role in the firing
of Mnangagwa from both party and government as VP, through his influence and
proximity to the first family, while the sacking of ED was announced by Khaya
Moyo and on the other hand, Sibusiso announced the army intervention.
According to Khaya Moyo, who is also the Information
minister, announcing Mnangagwa’s sacking, he said the then VP, who is now the
country’s president was exhibiting traits of “disloyalty”, even though he
claimed to be “loyal” to Mugabe.
He said as a result, and in accordance with the national
charter, amendment number 28, of 2013, Mugabe had exercised his powers to
relieve Mnangagwa of his position with immediate effect.
“It had become evident that his conduct in the discharge of
his duties had become inconsistent with his responsibilities. The vice
president had consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty,
disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability. He has also demonstrated little
probity in the execution of his duties,” Khaya Moyo said.
This dismissal resulted in Mnangagwa going into exile,
where he issued a hard-hitting statement, promising that he would fight tooth
and nail and take over power in a few weeks.
“I will go nowhere. I will fight tooth and nail against
those making a mockery of Zanu PF’s founding principles, ethos and values.
“You (Mugabe) and your cohorts will, instead, leave Zanu PF
by the will of the people and this, we will do in the coming few weeks as
Zimbabweans in general now require new and progressive leadership that is not
resident in the past and refuses to accept change,” the statement reads.
After this statement, army boss Constantino Chiwenga, fresh
from a visit to China, gave a chilling warning against Zanu PF and Mugabe, over
the continued purging of party members with war credentials.
What then followed was an army takeover of the government,
claiming they wanted to take down criminals that surrounded Mugabe.
The announcement on State television was made by another
Moyo, Major General Sibusiso Moyo, during the wee hours of November 15, 2017.
“Firstly, we wish to assure the nation that His Excellency,
The President, of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Head of State and Government and
Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces…Mugabe and his family are
safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.
“We are only targeting criminals around him who are
committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country
in order to bring them to justice.
“As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that
the situation will return to normalcy,” Moyo said.
This was not the end, as Khaya Moyo was to later reappear,
following the dramatic turn of events, this time announcing the sacking of
Mugabe from the party.
“The central committee resolved that...Mugabe should resign
forthwith from his position as president and head of State and government and
if a resignation has not been tendered by 12 midday tomorrow(today) , the Zanu
PF chief whip is instructed to initiate proceedings for the recall of the
president in terms of Section 97 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Khaya Moyo
said, announcing Mugabe’s sacking.
“It was resolved that...Mnangagwa be appointed interim
president pending ratification by the extraordinary congress scheduled for
December . . . the extraordinary congress should proceed for the purpose of
ratifying the decision we have taken this afternoon.”
The events that took place were dramatic, and fluid,
resulting in fast changes that many never saw coming.
Mnangagwa has since been sworn in as the country’s
president at an inauguration ceremony held last Friday at the National Sports
Stadium. Daily News
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