Zanu-PF moves to amend constitution

THE leadership squabbles in the ruling Zanu-PF have escalated in the last few days with feuding factions now taking their war to the constitution of the party, currently undergoing some amendments. Zanu-PF has quietly started the tricky process of amending its constitution, which should be ready for adoption at congress.

Before congress, the draft will be tabled in the Politburo before being referred to the Central Committee, which has the final say.  Once okayed by the Cental Committee it will then be presented at the December congress for adoption.

The Financial Gazette said it is reliably informed the amendment process, which kicked off two weeks ago when President Robert Mugabe was in China, is being lead by the party's Legal Affairs department, headed by Emmerson Mnangagwa. The Justice Minister is being assisted by Politburo member, Jonathan Moyo, who is considered the think tank of the party.

Moyo is also believed to be the brains behind the party's 2013 elections manifesto as well as the economic blueprint, Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation. Patrick Chinamasa, the Zanu-PF deputy secretary for legal affairs, was also roped into the team on his return from China where he had accompanied the President.

Zanu-PF spokesman, Rugare Gumbo, said he would not discuss the issue with the press. "There is a tendency for some people to want to discuss Zanu-PF problems in the media but we do not want that. Party issues are better handled within the party and not in the public or the media, whether private or public. So we will first have to discuss the issue internally and when we feel we can give you a position, we will give you," he said.

But according to Zanu-PF insiders, the amendments seek to do away with certain clauses that have become redundant while incorporating new Politburo positions. The Financial Gazette understands that the District Coordinating Committees, which were disbanded two years ago, will be removed from the constitution. One of the likely additions to the constitution is the position of secretary for environment, which exists in the Politburo but not in the constitution.

There is also a proposal being looked at to have membership into the central committee be on the basis of proportional representation.  This means that provinces with fewer Zanu-PF members would feed fewer people into the organ while those with a wider membership will have a larger representation. Inside sources said the party is also considering aligning its constitution to the new charter of the country that became effective last year.

They said the combination of Moyo and Chinamasa, who are both aligned to the Mnangagwa faction, has raised eyebrows in the rival camp, led by Joice Mujuru camp, the Vice President of the Republic. There a fears that trio could take advantage and manipulate the constitution to their advantage.

"They (Mujuru faction) are not leaving anything to chance. They are very alert and have made no secret of their desire to choke the amendments in the event that they do not favour their pre-conceptions. What we are seeing is a situation where these people do not trust each other on anything. Everything is seen through the factional eyes which is a sad development in the party," said the official.

The ruling party is reeling from internal strife as big wigs involve themselves in a fierce dogfight along factional lines ahead of the critical elective congress in December. The run up to congress is traditionally characterised by cut-throat politics in the party with top dogs shoving each other in an out of positions.