'No rift in Zanu-PF,' says Kasukuwere

The ruling Zanu-PF party's rank and file fully supports the recently appointed leadership including Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko and any attempt to divide the party will fail, national secretary for the commissariat Saviour Kasukuwere said yesterday.

Kasukuwere dismissed as "gutter journalism" reports in the private media claiming a rift in the party and that VP Mnangagwa was under attack from a clique that was allegedly unhappy with his rise and their failure to land influential posts in the party and government.

The Newsday yesterday headlined with a story, "Daggers drawn against Mnangagwa" in which it claimed that "a Gang of Four (G4) comprising Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Oppah Muchinguri and (President) Mugabe's nephew, Patrick Zhuwawo" had "turned its swords" against VP Mnangagwa for allegedly letting them down by giving them less influential party and Cabinet positions.

"It's no longer journalism when we try to ascribe feelings of being unhappy even without asking the people involved. It's gutter journalism," said Kasukuwere in a statement last night.

"We'd like to dismiss as baseless and false these innuendos and allegations being peddled by fifth columnists. President Mugabe appointed the Politburo and two deputies and that's the structure that will lead the party in the next five years and they enjoy support from the rank and file.

"We support each and every decision made by His Excellency including the appointment of two tried and tested cadres, Mnangagwa and Mphoko," he said.

He noted that the allegations by paid opponents of the ruling party in the private media, who also worked with a faction led by deposed Vice President Joice Mujuru, was working in vain to destabilise Zanu-PF.

"We'll not be distracted from the core mission to ensure party policies and government programmes  succeed.  The party's commitment to the people of Zimbabwe is total and those who seek to divide the party leadership have no chance of success in their nefarious attempt to undermine the party's unity," he said.

He also called upon Zanu-PF members to be wary of giving voice to divisive elements.

Kasukuwere lumped the latest report of Zanu-PF fractures to recent claims that Zanu-PF wanted to "recall" around 100 parliamentarians for their alleged links to ousted VP Mujuru.

The government on Tuesday dismissed the speculation, with Minister Moyo saying such claims reflected wishful thinking.