Mugabe blamed for Zanu-PF wars

President Robert Mugabe's reluctance to spell out his succession plans is fuelling factional fights in Zanu-PF that have failed to die even after the expulsion of his former deputy Joice Mujuru, analysts have said.

The ruling party is embroiled in serious infighting which escalated following the ouster of Mujuru and her alleged allies after the controversial December 2014 congress.

Analysts said as long as Mugabe remained silent on his succession, there would be a lot of fights in the party.

Charles Mangongera, a Harare-based political analyst, said the lack of clarity on succession was to blame for unrest in Zanu-PF. What is driving factionalism is the absence of clarity on transition.

"As long as there is this feeling that Mugabe is almost gone and someone will take over, anyone will entertain thoughts of taking over," Mangongera said.

As long as he is there, frail and old, we will have this. The battle is not over. The Mujuru issue was just the beginning; there will be intra-party factional fights.