'Mujuru can bounce back as Zanu-PF leader'

TOP academic Ibbo Mandaza has said people should not rule out the possibility of ousted former Vice-President Joice Mujuru bouncing back as leader of Zanu-PF and the country despite her recent expulsion from the ruling party.

Mandaza's prediction comes as more and more analysts warn that Zanu-PF was headed for a bloodbath if President Robert Mugabe does not address the issue of his succession as age continues to take a toll on the 91-year-old leader.

Mandaza said it would be folly to rule out Mujuru in the succession matrix now in the same way that it was not automatic that Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa would take Mugabe's crown on a silver platter.

"Far from it (Mnangagwa's automatic takeover), didn't you hear Information minister Jonathan Moyo? He may be speaking for himself given his own ambition which is fair," Mandaza said.

"It's not a given, look at the Constitution, it talks about an elected VP to take over. Currently, there is no elected VP. It says within 90 days, the ruling party must nominate somebody and give the name to the Speaker."

He said Zanu-PF would go for a special congress to choose a leader in the event Mugabe dies or is incapacitated, warning "blood and thunder" should be expected.