News / National
Mutasa accused of fanning division in Zanu-PF
08 Apr 2013 at 01:07hrs | Views
TOP Zanu-PF officials from Manicaland have petitioned President Robert Mugabe to rein in party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, accusing him of fanning divisions.
They also accused him of interfering with grassroots structures - alleged conduct they described as likely to disrupt preparations for the forthcoming harmonised elections.
The petitioners' concerns, according to party sources, were shared by other provinces who felt their preferred candidates were being sidelined in favour of others in Mashonaland provinces in the race to replace Mugabe.
The petitioners, who met in Mutare on Friday, warned that if Mutasa's actions went unchecked another "Bhora Musango" campaign reminiscent of the 2008 polls - where Zanu-PF MPs campaigned for themselves and left Mugabe to fight for himself to save his own skin - was looming.
Among those who attended the meeting was Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, Energy and Power Development deputy minister Hubert Nyanhongo, suspended provincial chairperson Mike Madiro, acting provincial chairperson Dorothy Mabika, Buhera North MP William Mutomba, war veterans' leader Joseph Chinotimba and Zanu-PF women's league boss Oppah Muchinguri.
In the petition, the party pointed out Zanu-PF's 2008 electoral nightmare - where it got only six out of the 26 contested parliamentary seats in Manicaland - saying this was caused by the "Bhora Musango" stratagem.
Part of the petition read: "We are aware of some machinations of elements within Zanu-PF, including some holding high positions in the party, to undermine the unity of the party in Manicaland province, and the leadership of the First Secretary and President of Zanu-PF Cde R G Mugabe."
"Given that elections are only three months away, the aforementioned machinations are only serving to undermine the resurgence of the party in the province and divide the Zanu-PF membership ahead of the crucial elections."
The five-page document, which was reportedly crafted after a Friday night meeting in Mutare, continued: "This is tantamount to political suicide if left unchecked. Those in Manicaland province aspiring for high offices and fanning the succession debate should be told clearly that there is no vacancy in the Presidency and, therefore, no one should cause confusion in the party by demanding and fighting for positions that do not exist."
On primary elections, the petitioners read: "Those seeking to represent the party in the forthcoming elections should subject themselves to primary elections. There shall be no sacred cows."
Contacted for comment, Mutasa, who has admitted harbouring Presidential ambitions, yesterday confirmed he was aware of "machinations" to discredit him and lashed out at his critics accusing them of sowing seeds of division within the party.
"There is nothing wrong in me having political ambitions," Mutasa said.
"Every politician has an ambition, but it should be done constitutionally, not in the middle of the night. If they had issues with me, why couldn't they propose an agenda item on the co-ordinating committee meeting and tell me in the face than stabbing me in the back? This is what causes divisions. Our security should look into the matter."
According to the Zanu-PF hierarchy, Mutasa is ranked fourth after Mugabe, Vice-President Joice Mujuru and party chairman Simon Khaya Moyo. Mutasa is also believed to be eyeing the Vice-Presidency left vacant following the death of Vice-President John Nkomo in January this year.
Most of the petitioners reportedly belong to a faction led by Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa is allegedly battling out with another faction reportedly led by Mujuru to succeed the 89-year-old Mugabe, although both have publicly denied leading the factions and harbouring presidential ambitions.
The petitioners also castigated candidate imposition in Manicaland, saying it destroyed the party's chances in the forthcoming elections and demanded the immediate lifting of Madiro's suspension.
Madiro and five other provincial party leaders were suspended early this year on extortion and fraud allegations and are set to appear in court today.
Repeated efforts to contact Presidential spokesperson George Charamba to confirm if the veteran leader had received the petition were fruitless yesterday.
They also accused him of interfering with grassroots structures - alleged conduct they described as likely to disrupt preparations for the forthcoming harmonised elections.
The petitioners' concerns, according to party sources, were shared by other provinces who felt their preferred candidates were being sidelined in favour of others in Mashonaland provinces in the race to replace Mugabe.
The petitioners, who met in Mutare on Friday, warned that if Mutasa's actions went unchecked another "Bhora Musango" campaign reminiscent of the 2008 polls - where Zanu-PF MPs campaigned for themselves and left Mugabe to fight for himself to save his own skin - was looming.
Among those who attended the meeting was Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, Energy and Power Development deputy minister Hubert Nyanhongo, suspended provincial chairperson Mike Madiro, acting provincial chairperson Dorothy Mabika, Buhera North MP William Mutomba, war veterans' leader Joseph Chinotimba and Zanu-PF women's league boss Oppah Muchinguri.
In the petition, the party pointed out Zanu-PF's 2008 electoral nightmare - where it got only six out of the 26 contested parliamentary seats in Manicaland - saying this was caused by the "Bhora Musango" stratagem.
Part of the petition read: "We are aware of some machinations of elements within Zanu-PF, including some holding high positions in the party, to undermine the unity of the party in Manicaland province, and the leadership of the First Secretary and President of Zanu-PF Cde R G Mugabe."
"Given that elections are only three months away, the aforementioned machinations are only serving to undermine the resurgence of the party in the province and divide the Zanu-PF membership ahead of the crucial elections."
The five-page document, which was reportedly crafted after a Friday night meeting in Mutare, continued: "This is tantamount to political suicide if left unchecked. Those in Manicaland province aspiring for high offices and fanning the succession debate should be told clearly that there is no vacancy in the Presidency and, therefore, no one should cause confusion in the party by demanding and fighting for positions that do not exist."
Contacted for comment, Mutasa, who has admitted harbouring Presidential ambitions, yesterday confirmed he was aware of "machinations" to discredit him and lashed out at his critics accusing them of sowing seeds of division within the party.
"There is nothing wrong in me having political ambitions," Mutasa said.
"Every politician has an ambition, but it should be done constitutionally, not in the middle of the night. If they had issues with me, why couldn't they propose an agenda item on the co-ordinating committee meeting and tell me in the face than stabbing me in the back? This is what causes divisions. Our security should look into the matter."
According to the Zanu-PF hierarchy, Mutasa is ranked fourth after Mugabe, Vice-President Joice Mujuru and party chairman Simon Khaya Moyo. Mutasa is also believed to be eyeing the Vice-Presidency left vacant following the death of Vice-President John Nkomo in January this year.
Most of the petitioners reportedly belong to a faction led by Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa is allegedly battling out with another faction reportedly led by Mujuru to succeed the 89-year-old Mugabe, although both have publicly denied leading the factions and harbouring presidential ambitions.
The petitioners also castigated candidate imposition in Manicaland, saying it destroyed the party's chances in the forthcoming elections and demanded the immediate lifting of Madiro's suspension.
Madiro and five other provincial party leaders were suspended early this year on extortion and fraud allegations and are set to appear in court today.
Repeated efforts to contact Presidential spokesperson George Charamba to confirm if the veteran leader had received the petition were fruitless yesterday.
Source - newsday
