Mnangagwa factions gains ground in Zanu-PF succession battle

Defense Minister, Emerson Mnangagwa gained more ground in Masvingo this week after his camp trounced Vice President Joice Mujuru in district elections held here by Zanu-PF in a restructuring exercise ahead of anticipated elections this year.

The two faction leaders are in a battle for the control of Zanu-PF structures in the country as the succession battle of their ailing party leader President Robert Mugabe intensifies, Radio VOP reported.

Mnangagwa who has been frequenting the province of late, aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter saw his faction led by former Masvingo provincial Governor, Josiah Hungwe and Higher and Tertiary education Minster, Stan Mudenge, thrashing the Mujuru faction in all of the five districts that held elections.

A member of the Mujuru faction Led by former Masvingo provincial governor, Dzikamai Mavhaire of the 'Mugabe must go fame' and Tourism Minister, Walter Mzembi said the camp was left dejected after being thumbed, leaving the Vice President disadvantaged in the succession battle.

"We have so far lost in five districts and they are only to left so our camp is in trouble because the Mnangagwa faction will get stronger and more powerful, but the elections were not free and fair they rigged us," said the faction member who declined to be named.

The new DCC chairmen from the Mnangagwa faction are Mathias Masasire in Gutu, Trust Mugabe Masvingo, Saunders Magwizi Chivi, Tawedzerwa Masase Zaka and Claudius Nhongonhema in Bikita.

The battle for the control of provinces has seen the faction leaders frequenting the provinces at various functions and events in a move to solicit for support from the people.

The visit recently saw the Defense Minister getting under fire from the locals who were not amused by his abuse of sate resources after using the Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter to attend functions of his faction members that were not important.

Mnangagwa flew to Chivi recently after he was invited by his camp's provincial leader Hungwe and members of his faction after he had done the same in Bikita.

The DCC elections are being held in preparation for the provincial congress that will elect the executive before elections in the country are held. The two leaders are fighting for control in the provinces so that they will lead the campaign in the general elections.

Although the Mnangagwa faction is in jubilant mood celebrating for the victories in the districts the Mujuru faction has rejected the outcome of the results citing irregularities and violence.

In Masvingo police were called to quell clashes between rival factions on Tuesday at Chief's hall, where Mudenge was briefly detained by youths from rival camp.

"Our camp has rejected the outcome of the lections. We were robbed by the Mnangagwa faction so we will be appealing to our national leaders to call for new elections," said the faction member.

Zanu-PF provincial secretary for Administration, Edmund Mhere declined to comment.

"We don't give comments over the phone, we do not know what you will end up writing," said Mhere before hanging up his mobile.

The Mujuru faction's hope is only left in gaining control of the DCC in Chiredzi and Mwenezi where lections are scheduled to take place at the weekend. But the control of two DCC's will be insignificant as the Mnangagwa faction has garnered five districts already.