Explosive Zanu-PF conference looms

The strife-torn Zanu-PF party is headed for a crunch December annual conference at which factional foes are expected to amplify their conflict over the succession of President Robert Mugabe.

The conference promises to be another stormy affair for the beleaguered party, which is already eyeing the 2018 national elections even as the country slips into an economic conflagration.

Zanu-PF insiders revealed that two militant youth groups that have emerged in recent months are supporting their seniors who are tearing each other apart, eight weeks before the conference.

There are fears the party could turn the prime resort town into a warzone, as hardliners have already drawn their swords for battle.

Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity, Simon Khaya-Moyo, was not taking calls as it is understood that the party has gagged its senior officials to keep the internal fights out of public.