Mugabe succession debate hots up

As its becomes clear and clearer that President Robert Mugabe will not be able to either pull through his presidential term or to continue ruling after 2018, the debate over his succession is escalating everyday with questions being raised as to whether the national president will come from the person who will succeed the 91 year old leader in Zanu PF or will be the one voted for by the people from other political parties.

Some Zanu PF loyalists like Tatenda Nzira said Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the only choice to Succeed President Mugabe apart from Grace Mugabe.

Jonathan Chando said Mujuru did not lose loyalty to ZANU PF. No amount of blame will ever stick on her and you know it as much as I do.

"All this banter, as Jonathan Moyo correctly stated, was political banter meant to outwit rivals in the succession matrix, so spare the loyalty rhetoric on Mujuru," he said.

"You are debating with your fellow comrade, fellow soldier, fellow intelligence officer, fellow scholar and fellow citizen, so hidden hands will not work because I know what's in them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Mnangagwa becoming president of Zimbabwe and as liberators together with him, we will be grateful, but not because of loyalty of that nature to Mugabe. It must be through loyalty to country and people and he must be the people's choice."

Frank Chatonda said "I would have gone to war over the murders of so many innocent people who lost their lives for very little. And surely one of them was not to have a country that has Royalty nominate a president."
He said the Loyalty is not loyalty to an individual, but loyalty to the country, to the citizens to the rule of law.

"Mugabe may have been elected president, (which i seriously doubt) but even then he cannot nominate a President, that remains to be the duty of the people," he said.

"A constitution is a legal guideline, and cannot be changed to fit our desires or by happenstance. We should let the people of Zimbabwe decide on who is going to lead them next, not Mugabe for his leadership despite the help he got from the likes of Mujuru and others who he did not listen to, not because he does not want to listen, but I believe the man is hard of hearing, and now he has drawn the country into a sess pool much worse than any oil leak in the ocean."

He said he had any advice to give Munangangwa he would say, he must prove that he deserve to be president, for the coming two years, make campaigning transparent, throw no one in jail, separate the Army from politics. educate people on what elections is all about.

"Tell people the difference between Chiefs and the Law," he said.

"Then have a fair and open Election. Mugabe's family does not need any protection from anyone, they have money and they have resources. Those who need protection are the poor and the sick, show that you can be champion of these people. Completely exonerate Joyce Mujuru On the false Charges that led to her dismissal, be open about the fact that she was a stumbling block to Mnangagwa becoming VP to president, and not that you have had an opportunity to see inside, you know how dirty things are. Resign Mnangagwa to allow peaceful election in 2018, and come stay with your Muzukur in New Jersey, I do not have a big house, but I am sure you will buy your own in no time. Lets bring peace to Zimbabwe for a change and forget this muscle based politics."

Jones Musara said anyway apart from the fact that VP Mnangaagwa has been very loyal to HE, Cde Mugabe, has vast practical experience in handling serious government and state matters such as intelligence, military, state security, legal, justice, administration and finance issues.

" He is also a very strong man physically and mentally such that he is not one to be easily bought or easily bullied by anyone or any nation.," he said.

"All that gives him a lot of potential to be the much needed strong, clever, bold, fearless and productive president of Zimbabwe.. In the face of threats of foreign aggression and domestic threats from anarchists who would want to overthrow the state president, a strong man like Cde Mnangagwa has very strong potential to keep our nation safe from domestic and foreign aggression. "

Masara said If the Zimbabwe Constitution and Zanu PF Constitution is followed, then HE, President Mugabe successor is appointed by the Zanu PF Extra-Ordinary Congress.

"Its not clear if that appointee will come from Mashonaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matebeleland or Manicaland and there is also no law which says the State Presidency is only taken by someone from Mash West. What should happen is when the vacancy arises, Zanu PF delegates to the Zanu PF Extraordinary Congress(that Is members of the Central Committee, members of the National Consultative Assembly, members of the Women's League, members of the National Council of Youth League, members of the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee, members of the various Provincial Executive Councils and unless directed by the Central Committee, the Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary, Commissar and Treasure, 2 members from the Women's League and 2 members from the Youth League from every District Executive Council of the Party) should appoint the best candidate who can deliver for the nation. That person can be from any Zimbabwe Province, tribe or class," he said.

This was after Mugabe 's nephew Patrick Zhuwao said his uncle would openly be succeeded in 2023.