Mugabe’s tour of Gono farm raises eyebrows

Speculation increased last week that President Mugabe has been grooming former Reserve Bank Governor (RBZ) Gideon Gono for a Cabinet post and eventually the presidency.

This followed Mugabe's unannounced tour of Gono's chicken farm last week at which he was full of praise for the former central banker.

But political analysts have said Gono's chances of landing a Cabinet post and the presidency were slim considering his lack of political clout and the complex nature of Zanu-PF's succession matrix.

There has been wide speculation that Gono was being groomed, but it intensified last Friday after Mugabe toured the former central bank governor's New Donnington Farm in Norton.

Mugabe for the first time in a long while last week openly defended Gono's credentials and right to ascend to higher political office despite blatant opposition from some within Zanu-PF and government.

The analysts said while Mugabe publicly endorsed Gono, the Zanu-PF leader could not implement far-reaching changes to the politburo and Cabinet before the party's congress in December.

University of Zimbabwe political science professor Eldred Masunungure said the praises were only anecdotal evidence that Mugabe had a special interest in Gono and that attempts by political rivals to put a wedge between the two had failed.

"Mugabe is playing his cards close to his chest," Masunungure said.

"The appointment to Cabinet is a long shot - maybe after congress even though Mugabe has been unhappy about the performance of some of his ministers."

He added that Gono's chances to become a compromise candidate to take over from Mugabe were remote considering his lack of political shrewdness.

"Gono is not politically astute to navigate the crocodile infested waters in Zanu-PF. I also don't see him succeeding Mugabe because he is too divisive a factor to take over especially that he is a leading player in one of the factions intending to succeed Mugabe," he added.

Other Zanu-PF heavyweights touted as contenders in the succession race include Vice-President Joice Mujuru, Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, dark horses Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi and Information minister Jonathan Moyo.

Midlands State University lecturer Nhamo Mhiripiri said the development shows that Mugabe may be preparing Gono for political office in the long term.

Mhiripiri said: "Most Zimbabweans see it as a natural progression to self-actualisation by making it into politics. It may not be surprising that he gets possibly a politburo or Cabinet position in the ruling party."

The analysts agreed that Mugabe was alive to the political realities in Zanu-PF and that is why he has not immediately moved to remove the impediments blocking Gono from being sworn-in as Buhera senator.