War veterans have added their voice to the in-fighting and succession politics in Zanu PF, warning they will call for the ouster of all officials accused of fanning divisions in the ruling party.
By Edgar Gweshe
The calls by war veterans come in the wake of recent outbursts by President Robert Mugabe accusing Media, Information and Broadcasting Services minister Jonathan Moyo of being a “devil incarnate” who used the state media to fan divisions in the party.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson, Jabulani Sibanda amplified Mugabe’s recent public attack, accusing Moyo and his alleged allies of causing disunity through factionalism.
Sibanda said this in an interview on Wednesday, two days after Moyo had met Mugabe to resolve their differences.
“We do not want divisive elements in the party. If you want to remain in the party, you should be able to respect the next authority after you and not work towards selfish gains. You must be able to show discipline even if you feel you are more qualified or influential than the person at the next level,” he said.
“That behaviour does not only defy the party constitution. It defies the party’s hierarchy because everyone is supposed to respect the person at the next level.”
Moyo is alleged to be aligned to a faction loyal to Justice minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa which is said to be fighting the one allegedly linked to Vice-President Joice Mujuru. Mnangagwa and Mujuru are believed to be the leading contenders in the race to succeed Mugabe, but both have repeatedly denied habouring presidential ambitions or leading any factions.
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Sibanda said it was disheartening that fights were erupting in Zanu (PF) over the issue of succession when Mugabe himself had declared that there was no presidential vacancy in the party. He said those clamouring for power in Zanu PF should back off and be content with the positions they currently hold.
“It is from such a way of thinking that we end up having factions. I am just an ordinary card-carrying member of Zanu PF and to tell you the truth, I am happy. I do not challenge any authority but I challenge myself to see whether what I am doing is what is expected of me as a party member. After that, it will be up to the people to elevate me, not for me to move around seeking support,” he said.
“The term succession must not be there in Zanu PF. It must be unknown. The only vacancy that I know of in Zanu PF is that of the other Vice President so why should people talk about who should take over when there is no vacancy.”
Sibanda accused ambitious Zanu PF officials of overestimating their influence in the party. He said those who desired positions of leadership should wait for the party’s elective congress slated for December.
“Those people are not even supposed to be in the party. What they think of themselves might be different from what we see of them in our own eyes. If you wait for people to tell you whether you will get to a position higher or below the one you are serving, then that is party discipline,” said Sibanda.
