Mugabe names and shames divisive politburo members

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Wednesday reportedly named and shamed some politburo members accusing them of contributing to fissures in the party, as crises rock Zanu-PF at a time opposition parties have been emboldened by former Vice-President Joice Mujuru's entry into opposition politics.

Mugabe's fury comes as war veterans and Zanu-PF youths have threatened to storm the party headquarters today to demonstrate against national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere accusing him of being divisive.

Fliers and messages circulating on social media claim a previously unknown group going by the name Revolutionary Guards is behind the planned protest against Kasukuwere's "unbridled ambition for high office, as well as causing confusion and unnecessary fights in the ruling party".

The group plans to present a petition to Mugabe tomorrow, as they demand Kasukuwere's immediate ouster.

The party insiders said Mugabe was livid at reports that Environment minister Oppah Muchinguri was fuelling divisions in Manicaland province and ordered that she be summoned to discuss the issue.

Mutsvangwa, who is also said to be aligned to the Mnangagwa faction, reportedly tried to defend Muchinguri, but Mugabe would have none of it.

Mugabe then reportedly ordered the deployment of another team of senior party members to resolve the Manicaland crisis.