'Zanu-PF implosion dangerous,' says Mugabe's nephew

Patrick Zhuwawo, President Robert Mugabe's nephew, says the ongoing purge in Zanu-PF is serious and dangerous to the country.

Speaking at the Southern African Political and Economic Series recently, Zhuwawo said the implosion in the ruling party was dangerous given that Zanu-PF was the government.

"I am sort of downplaying the crisis for it to look light - but the truth of the matter is that it is serious," said Zhuwawo, following a reprimand from political commentator, Ibbo Mandaza, that he should avoid toning down the implosion as it was a serious national issue.

Zhuwawo warned party outsiders not to analyse party in-fighting and took a swipe at the media and analysts for blowing the crisis out of proportion for political reasons.

Participants and analysts at the panel discussion were told to stop masquerading as experts on Zanu-PF issues. Zhuwawo said it was not correct do describe the dismissal of former Vice President Joice Mujuru's allies as a purge. "If someone loses an internal party election in his province like Didymus Mutasa did, that cannot be described as purge," he said.

"Mutasa should simply accept defeat like I did when I lost a primary election in my constituency. I and Mutasa, among others, lost elections because we had lost touch with the grassroots that brought us into power. People have their own way of correcting things," Zhuwawo said, suggesting that despite the squabbles Zanu-PF was moving on united.

On the possibility of recalling 'deviant' MPs, Zhuwawo said that was another figment of the media's imagination.

"The political commissar of Zanu-PF made it clear that there was no way the party would recall the legislators, as it does not have the provision to do so. I wonder why some people are so obsessed with the unfounded dissolution of Parliament issue," he said.

Speaking in another exclusive interview, Saviour Kasukuwere, Zanu-PF national commissar, ruled out Mutasa's chances of forming a political party 'as he no longer had the capacity to do so'.

"There is no way Mutasa can form a viable and respectable political party, as he is a spent force," he said.

Zanu-PF is embroiled in intra-party fighting which has led to the purging of members suspected to be aligned to Mujuru who is accused of plotting to assassinate Mugabe and cause divisions in the party.

Mutasa, the suspended former Zanu-PF secretary for administration, has reportedly threatened to take the legal route.

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said Mutasa's intended litigation would not bear fruit. "Zanu-PF is a private membership- based organisation and there is no way a dismissed member can seek redress through the courts.

"Members not happy with decisions taken by the party should exhaust domestic channels for remedy and nothing else," said Moyo, advising 'outsiders' against pretending as if they know the party constitution better than Zanu-PF members.

He indicated that only state organs would be expected to conduct themselves according the laws of the land.

Moyo acknowledged that there was need for debate about goings on in the party. "Since what has happened is about the ruling party, it has far reaching implications on the nation and there is need for debate," he said.