The push to remove the presidential term limits and allow
Mnangagwa to rule forever has divided Zanu PF into two distinct factions with
those supporting the 82 year-old ruler’s continued stay in power and those who
want Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to takeover in 2028.
In recent weeks Chiwenga’s backers have been targeted in
purges that have rocked Masvingo, Harare and Mashonaland East provinces.
It has since emerged that at last week’s politburo meeting,
the issue of Zanu PF supporters who are allegedly being denied food aid on the
grounds that they are against the ED2030 campaign was discussed extensively.
Mnangagwa chaired the meeting, but Chiwenga did not attend
as he was said to be in India.
“The politburo
received the report of the intimidation, victimisation and discrimination of
anti-2030 party members,” said a Zanu PF politburo member, who spoke on
condition of anonymity.
“It was then resolved that provincial chairpersons be
summoned to explain on the matter as the matter was seen as destabilising the
already fractured party from the grassroots level.
“The national chairperson (Oppah Muchunguri) will preside
over the disciplinary hearing for those alleged to be victimising the anti-2030
crusaders.”
This followed reports
that a meeting in Masvingo’s Bikita area
ended prematurely last week after Zanu PF supporters protested over the
sacking of their councillor on allegations of being anti-2030.
The meeting where the Zanu PF members were supposed to get
free fertliser was called off after supporters demanded answers on why their
councillor, Brighton Mushekwa was issued
with a prohibition order.
They said they can only accept the fertiliser distributed
only by their councillor.
Mushekwa, who is ward 12 councillor, is among the over
dozen party officials who have since appeared before the provincial
disciplinary committee on allegations of opposing the 2030 agenda and
supporting Chiwenga.
At a meeting held in Bikita last month, Provincial Affairs
minister Ezra Chadzamira and his team from Masvingo openly accused Mushekwa of
getting money from Chiwenge to mobilise party supporters to turn against
Mnangagwa.
The disrupted meeting was attended by district coordinating
chairperson, Taruona Chomunoda, and provincial executive member Simon Muchafa,
who rose to fame when his audio recording attacking Chiwenge and retired army
general Engelbert Rugeje was leaked in October.
Chomunoda demanded questions in writing when contacted for
comment yesterday. He did not respond to any of the questions.
In the audio, Muchafa is heard saying he would not support
anyone who doesn’t come from Masvingo to take over as president from Mnangagwa.
Delight Mandebvu, the provincial youth chairman, Joulshua
Chamisa Ward 23 chairman, Joshua Dhewa (Zanu PF shadow councillor ward 23) also
attended the meeting held at Chikukutu turn off on Tuesday.
“The chairman was addressing people when a group of
supporters demanded an explanation on the sacking of Mushekwa,” a source who
attended the meeting said.
“The supporters ordered that the fertiliser would not be
distributed if their councillor was not there.
“They said they know the reason why their councillor was
sacked and demanded that not even a single bag of fertilisers would be
distributed by anyone else.”
The situation got worse when Chamunoda ordered the police
to arrest the supporters, which saw the meeting being called off prematurely.
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