News / National
Zanu PF readies for congress
01 May 2014 at 10:22hrs | Views
ZANU PF will hold its youth and women's league congresses in August ahead of the party's make-or-break national congress in December this year.
The meeting comes at a crucial phase as the party has to deal with the issue of who would succeed President Robert Mugabe, who is unlikely to stand as Zanu PF presidential candidate in the 2018 elections when he will be 94.
Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday confirmed that the youth and women's league congresses would be held in August. He, however, said the party was yet to meet to deliberate on the December congress where the issue of succession might be on the agenda.
"We are yet to sit and discuss on the December congress preparations, but the youth and women's leagues will hold theirs in August," said Gumbo.
Sources said there were manoeuvres by faction leaders in the party to strategically position themselves ahead of the December congress.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are touted as front runners to succeed Mugabe, who turned 90 in February this year.
The two have, however, denied leading factions.
The sources said tension was mounting as rival faction leaders were eager to have their preferred candidates take top positions in the powerful youth and women's wings to enhance their chances of succeeding Mugabe.
Recently, Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa confirmed party members in provinces were holding meetings to dislodge Mujuru.
Our sister publication, Zimbabwe Independent, reported that potential candidates vying for the post of deputy secretary for youth affairs, a powerful post that automatically makes one a politburo member, include incumbent Edison Chakanyuka (Midlands), Mayor Wadyajena (Midlands), Kudzanai Chiponga (Manicaland), Innocent Hamandishe (Harare) and Mike Gava (Mashonaland West).
It is not clear who would be running for the top post of women's league boss currently held by Oppah Muchinguri.
The meeting comes at a crucial phase as the party has to deal with the issue of who would succeed President Robert Mugabe, who is unlikely to stand as Zanu PF presidential candidate in the 2018 elections when he will be 94.
Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday confirmed that the youth and women's league congresses would be held in August. He, however, said the party was yet to meet to deliberate on the December congress where the issue of succession might be on the agenda.
"We are yet to sit and discuss on the December congress preparations, but the youth and women's leagues will hold theirs in August," said Gumbo.
Sources said there were manoeuvres by faction leaders in the party to strategically position themselves ahead of the December congress.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are touted as front runners to succeed Mugabe, who turned 90 in February this year.
The sources said tension was mounting as rival faction leaders were eager to have their preferred candidates take top positions in the powerful youth and women's wings to enhance their chances of succeeding Mugabe.
Recently, Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa confirmed party members in provinces were holding meetings to dislodge Mujuru.
Our sister publication, Zimbabwe Independent, reported that potential candidates vying for the post of deputy secretary for youth affairs, a powerful post that automatically makes one a politburo member, include incumbent Edison Chakanyuka (Midlands), Mayor Wadyajena (Midlands), Kudzanai Chiponga (Manicaland), Innocent Hamandishe (Harare) and Mike Gava (Mashonaland West).
It is not clear who would be running for the top post of women's league boss currently held by Oppah Muchinguri.
Source - NewsDay
