Assassination plots in Zanu-PF

ZANU PF factional infighting has turned ugly, with insiders reporting assassination plots and an upsurge in threats.

The Daily News said in Mashonaland Central party officials are engaged in 'open warfare' and battles for dominance are spilling over into gold mines, amid allegations of love scandals involving senior party members.

The infighting is said to be between the traditional rival factions controlled by vice President Joice Mujuru and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. Both Mujuru and Mnangagwa are said to want to succeed ailing President Robert Mugabe who turned 90 this year.

An unnamed Youth League executive member from the Mnangagwa faction said the Mujuru camp has compiled a hit list of those who should be either eliminated or jailed ahead of the party's elective congress scheduled for December. Gold panners operating in the province have been arrested in recent weeks, and ascribed their fate to their opposition to Mujuru.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the reports are not surprising because individuals within both factions have, over the years, amassed extreme wealth which they want to secure through political leverage. Muchemwa said the infighting was not limited to one province.

He said: 'There is a sense that everyone within the party is anticipating radical changes within the party structures. Others are now saying Mugabe has indicated privately to some quarters that he wants to retire and so this seems to have triggered this warfare.'

Muchemwa said in some provinces state security agencies such as the army and the CIO were also being used in the fight for control and power.