News / National
Anti-Mnangagwa demo on the cards
15 Sep 2015 at 06:55hrs | Views
A rival Zanu-PF faction is plotting public protests against Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he continues to feel the political heat following his remarks that the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo lost the 1980 elections because he served white interests
Supporters of a faction opposed to Mnangagwa have reportedly printed T-shirts branded "In memory of the late Father Zimbabwe Dr J Nkomo" to register their displeasure at the VP's recent attack on the late nationalist and are set to wear them today at the official opening of the third session of the eighth Parliament, as Zanu-PF infighting gets to a head.
Party insiders said the T-shirts protest was part of a grand scheme to isolate Mnangagwa and frustrate his efforts to succeed President Robert Mugabe.
A group allegedly linked to the ruling party's Young Turks is believed to have printed thousands of the T-shirts to send a clear message to Mnangagwa that Nkomo was a national hero and any attempt to deprecate his legacy was not welcome.
The message on the back of the T-shirts reads: "The unity that shall never collapse . . . Munhu wese kuna Amai" (Everyone to Grace Mugabe), again a statement, party insiders said, indicated who could be behind the protest.
Although the First Lady has publicly distanced herself from the succession race and has said her relationship with VPs Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko was cordial, party insiders said she might use the political gaffe by Mnangagwa to curry favour with people from Nkomo's Matabeleland region.
The T-shirts protest comes after a failed demonstration by party members, reportedly linked to Mnangagwa, against Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, said to be a member of G40 and who is accused of being divisive and exhibiting unbridled ambitions.
The anti-Kasukuwere protests were reportedly being co-ordinated by war veterans and some youths linked to Mnangagwa.
Supporters of a faction opposed to Mnangagwa have reportedly printed T-shirts branded "In memory of the late Father Zimbabwe Dr J Nkomo" to register their displeasure at the VP's recent attack on the late nationalist and are set to wear them today at the official opening of the third session of the eighth Parliament, as Zanu-PF infighting gets to a head.
Party insiders said the T-shirts protest was part of a grand scheme to isolate Mnangagwa and frustrate his efforts to succeed President Robert Mugabe.
A group allegedly linked to the ruling party's Young Turks is believed to have printed thousands of the T-shirts to send a clear message to Mnangagwa that Nkomo was a national hero and any attempt to deprecate his legacy was not welcome.
Although the First Lady has publicly distanced herself from the succession race and has said her relationship with VPs Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko was cordial, party insiders said she might use the political gaffe by Mnangagwa to curry favour with people from Nkomo's Matabeleland region.
The T-shirts protest comes after a failed demonstration by party members, reportedly linked to Mnangagwa, against Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, said to be a member of G40 and who is accused of being divisive and exhibiting unbridled ambitions.
The anti-Kasukuwere protests were reportedly being co-ordinated by war veterans and some youths linked to Mnangagwa.
Source - newsday
