'Mugabe is a cult hero'

Immaturity and inexperience on the part of the opposition favoured President Robert Mugabe.
Political analyst Alois Masepe said the opposition, particularly the MDC which was formed in 1999, failed to attract experienced people from Zanu-PF, save for those from labour and civil society.
"They were and still are green horns fighting against a party which has gone through furnaces of political detentions, arrests and bush war since the 1960s," said Masepe.
He said the use of state machinery to destabilise the opposition had also ensured Mugabe's survival.
Masepe said within Zanu-PF, no one had seriously challenged him apart from Nkomo.
He said by nature, liberation movements created cult heroes out of their founding leaders.
"He became a cult hero even before independence. Politically, he is untouchable just like Nkomo when he was still in Zapu," said the political analyst.
Masepe said those trying to succeed Mugabe within Zanu-PF, were only looking at the post-Mugabe era and not a direct challenge to the 90-year-old leader.