Gang of Four angers Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe is said to be seething with anger against the influential group of senior Zanu-PF officials who are derisively known as the Gang of Four, amid serious accusations that its members are taking advantage of their positions both in the party and government to advance their narrow economic and political interests.

The sobriquet Gang of Four, which has gained wide currency among senior Zanu-PF officials in both the "original" and "post-congress" formations of the party, was first coined by Rugare Gumbo late last year.

The group members at that time included Patrick Zhuwao, Saviour Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo, and Oppah Muchinguri - with latest reports suggesting the group has since split due to sharp differences.

It was reported that Muchinguri had pulled out of the group. Lately Zhuwao is also said to be stepping back from the group as he is now aware that his uncle, Mugabe, is not very happy with the ambitions of some members of the group.

So influential were the members of the group during Zanu-PF purges last year that they were seen as the main catalysts.

Well placed sources have said that over the past few weeks Mugabe had been inundated with incriminating information against members of the Gang of Four, who stood accused of running parallel structures that were in conflict with those of him and Mnangagwa.

Matters came to a head last week when Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who is said to be close to the group announced the cancellation of civil servants' bonuses without cabinet approval.