It emerged that the names of President Emmerson Mnangagwa
and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga were being dropped to cow rivals while
promoting their horses, a situation that has also exposed deep-rooted
factionalism in the party.
The fights are said to be serious enough that in
Mashonaland West province the party acting national commissar Patrick Chinamasa
read the riot act to curb a potentially explosive situation.
Chinamasa’s intervention was forced by fights over the
alleged imposition of Abia Mujere by former provincial chairman Ziyambi
Ziyambi, who was recently appointed to the politburo.
This has triggered objections from a camp said to be linked
to Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka.
“The communication is to inform you that Cde Abia Mujere
is, and remains the appropriate acting chairman for Mashonaland West province
pending the conduct of provincial elections scheduled to take place countrywide
at a date to be announced in due course,” Chinamasa said.
“This clarification should put to rest the dispute with
some party members over this matter. The province is advised that no co-options
for any vacant posts should be made without authorisation from the acting
secretary for the commissariat.”
There have been fights in Mashonaland Central province
where provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe is reportedly blocking individuals
who are preparing to challenge him in the polls.
There have been reports that Kazembe has been growing
increasingly unpopular with party structures in the province and that he is
using intimidatory tactics to hold on to the post of chairperson.
Insiders alleged that some of Kazembe’s tactics included
waging in a smear campaign against his rival, Walter Makamba claiming that
Mnangagwa did not like the businessman because he was alleged to be a G40 supporter.
Businessman Tafadzwa Musarara is also said to be interested
in the party provincial chairmanship.
Kazembe, however, dismissed the allegations, saying no
individual within the party had the power to block anyone from contesting in an
election.
“What happened in the provincial co-ordinating committee is
not unique (clashes). A lot happens in politics and everywhere. People gossip,
drop names, assassinate each other’s characters, and do all sorts of things
every day and everywhere,” he told NewsDay yesterday.
“We don’t condone such behaviour. I have also been a target
of these dirty tricks where people create fake stories about me. Everyday you
hear of people plotting to remove the chairman but I’m not moved. That comes
with the terrain. I am focusing on working for the party and the people.”
In the Midlands, sources said there were serious fights
over who should lead the province. Newsday
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