Mujuru takes Zanu-PF head-on

The ruling party Zanu-PF is not prepared to deal with the economic challenges and security concerns of the people, former vice president Joice Mujuru has said.

In a statement released over her expulsion from the ruling party last week, Mujuru accused Zanu-PF's supreme governing body outside congress, the politburo of focussing its attention on a malicious and hateful campaign towards her.

She said while the ruling party was concentrating on denigrating her, the country was riddled with economic challenges and security concerns amid the abduction of political activist-cum-journalist Itai Dzamara last month.

"One wonders if the PB (politburo) ever spared any moment to enquire on the disappearance or lack of news on the whereabouts of young Itai Dzamara and what his young family is going through. My prayers go to all those who are hurting in silence," Mujuru said.

"Given the prevailing economic hardships, the looming food crisis (tutsaona) and the declining inflows to the fiscus, the PB's silence on these matters is deafening," Mujuru added.

Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said Mujuru's statement shows that she knows a lot about dirty games, enforced murders and other criminal activities in Zanu-PF.

"She has been in there for too long and in senior position which gives her vantage angle to know it all," Saungweme said.

"The economic hardships are there, but she is also part of gravy train that led to our poor economic fortunes due to poor policies, plunder of national resources, corruption, lack of rule law and all other ills. She should also accept blame for the poverty and economic hardships as much as her adversaries are Zanu-PF are also culpable," Saungweme said.

McDonald Lewanika, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition director concurred with Saungweme adding there was a problem of the will power to transform people's lives within Zanu-PF.

"Zanu-PF is less intent on dealing with the economic challenges afflicting Zimbabweans including hunger, unemployment, not keen on addressing issues of security of persons, which is a primary state function, as seen in the Dzamara case.

"The continued persecution of Mai Mujuru, even when she was already down, exposes the Zanu-PF regimes infatuation with dealing with and pursuing personal scores and dealing with perceived enemies," he said.

Gladys Hlatwayo, a Hubert Humphrey fellow however, felt Mujuru's statement was that of defiance with reference to the pay off line in the statement; " Ini handidzingike muOriginal Zanu-PF ."

"It sets in motion a dispute of who is Zanu-PF. With news of her wanting to form another Zanu-PF, the recent events are a sign that even the ruling party is not immune to splits. In the absence of Mugabe, this dispute is likely to be even more intense and disastrous for Zanu-PF," she said.

"We might be seeing the end of this party. That's what happens when emphasis is on strong individuals rather than institutions. The long incumbency of the president will be responsible for demise of Zanu-PF," Hlatwayo added.