Central committee to bolster Mugabe power

The Zanu-PF Central Committee will tomorrow hold a crisis meeting as the ruling party seeks to finalise preparations for its elective congress starting next Tuesday.

Indications are that the organ will approve constitutional amendments bestowing more power on President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

As part of the changes, the Zanu-PF first secretary will be given exclusive powers to appoint office bearers in the party, including its two vice presidents and national chairman.

The Central Committee will be meeting for the second time this year against the constitutional provision compelling it to meet quarterly.  

The most obvious thing about this meeting is that President Mugabe is going to come out stronger after passing of the proposed constitutional amendments.