Zanu-PF youths vows to defy bigwigs

Zanu PF youths on Friday claimed there is a plot to block them from meeting President Robert Mugabe when he arrives back home from China to update him on the state of the party, amid worsening reports of factionalism ahead of the December elective congress.

The youth league, led by Harare Province, said they received reports that they were plans to bar them from meeting Mugabe and vowed to defy the move.

But Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo dismissed the claims, adding the youths were free to meet "their leader".

Godwin Gomwe, Harare Province youth chairperson, told The Zimbabwe Mail that although it was not officially communicated to them, they received reports that some bigwigs were opposed to them meeting the president to brief him on what transpired in the party while he was on a five-day state visit in China.

"I have heard about the plot to stop us from meeting the president, but let me say this very clear, it is very nonsensical and as youths we are prepared to confront those who want to block us from meeting the president, a man we voted for and who has fought so hard for this economy to be where it is today," Gomwe said.

"We will not be stopped by their machinations and attempts to silence the youths from airing their views to the party leader."

He declined to name the bigwigs behind the plot.

Mugabe is in China where he led a delegation of cabinet ministers seeking financial and technical assistance to finance several projects under ZimAsset.

In the Asian giant, Mugabe, together with his delegation, which comprised of ministers of Transport, Finance, Tourism and Mines, brokered huge deals meant to turn around the fortunes of the economy.

The youths said they want to give Mugabe a heroic welcome as well as seize the opportunity to brief him on the state of the party.

"Why are they afraid of us meeting our party leader? Do they have something that they think could affect their political lives when we tell the president? We will not be deterred by their selfish agendas which,  as youths, we have resisted," Gomwe said.

Zanu PF is embroiled in factional fights to replace Mugabe when he leaves office, and two names have emerged as leading camps positioning themselves to take over.

Although the said froth runners have denied ambitions to take over from Mugabe, vice president Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are said to be leading camps that are fighting to replace the veteran leader when he retires.

Gomwe said the youths are being punished for resisting siding with "those said factional leaders" who are plotting to dethrone Mugabe and opposed to the rise of the first lady, Grace, into mainstream politics.

"We have refused to accept their preferred leader, we want President Robert Mugabe and the first lady. They can have their faction leader there in the bush and not in our party. If anyone wants to stand on our way, we will deal with them decisively. We have the potential to destroy their political careers if they prove to be anti-president Mugabe," he said.

Gomwe said the youths, who will welcome back Mugabe and his delegation, would include those from other provinces.

But Gumbo dismissed claims that there were top party officials trying to block the youths from welcoming Mugabe.

"Why are you journalists being used in nonsensical games, how could anyone in the party block people wishing to meet their leader?" Gumbo asked.

"It's  nonsense and don't be misled. Anyway, as far as I know, I have not heard anything about that attempt. We have welcomed the president before and this is not the first time, so there is no way youths can be blocked."

Last night Harare Province secretary for commissariat Shadreck Mashayamombe said the party main wing, women and youth leagues would welcome Mugabe on Sunday.