WikiLeaks return to haunt Zanu PF

Politics
THE bare-knuckle infighting within Zanu PF has reached new heights, with WikiLeaks being resuscitated as party members try to discredit each other.

THE bare-knuckle infighting within Zanu PF has reached new heights, with WikiLeaks being resuscitated as party members try to discredit each other ahead of the party’s primary elections expected next month.

BY OUR STAFF

Some of the rivals have taken the fight to social media network sites.

In recent days, shadowy characters, Amai Jukwa and Baba Jukwa have emerged, clearly taking opposing sides within Zanu PF and spewing vitriol against each other on social media network sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

So far unidentified, the Jukwas seem to be well-informed about what is going on within the party and have been releasing damaging statements about Zanu PF.

This comes amid reports that Major-Brigadier Douglas Nyikayaramba was also using a leaked WikiLeaks cable to undermine the current Uzumba MP, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.

The high-ranking soldier is reportedly eyeing the Uzumba parliamentary seat.

Mudarikwa was accused of attacking Zanu PF after the whistle- blower website WikiLeaks posted a cable with his surname.

He has since pleaded his innocence on the matter.

Nyikayaramba last week denied attacking Mudarikwa saying he has no interest of becoming a legislator.

“Yes, I come from Uzumba, but why would I want to be an MP, that’s a very junior post, when I can be in the army that serves the whole of Zimbabwe,” he said.

But it is the Jukwa characters that have left many followers of social media spellbound and horrified at the twists within the party.

Amai Jukwa, now a columnist at The Herald, was first on the scene, as she posted comments that seemed to attack Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, but at the same time praising Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment minister, Saviour Kasukuwere.

There is no love lost between Kasukuwere and Gono, as they have taken polarised positions and have clashed publicly on indigenisation laws. From her posts, it was clear that Amai Jukwa is someone in the know and would be updated on everything within the party.

Amai Jukwa accused Gono of all sorts of crimes, including pillaging the central bank, while Baba Jukwa claims the Reserve Bank boss is the victim of a hate campaign instigated by Zanu PF strategist Jonathan Moyo and Kasukuwere.

Recently Baba Jukwa began posting leaked WikiLeaks cables, which accuse a number of high- profile Zanu PF members of secretly meeting US envoys and divulging the party’s secrets.

Baba Jukwa has gone to the extent of releasing mobile phone numbers of Zanu PF officials, urging his followers to call high-ranking party members to demand answers.

He has posted a cable of Gono claiming that he tried to resign but this was turned down by authorities.

Among Gono’s reasons for resigning were corruption and factional fighting within the government, according to the cable.

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