Loyalist claim Mugabe has been endorsed as life president

President Robert Mugabe's loyalist Energy Mutodi has said his boss has been endorsed by the party as life president of Zimbabwe.

Mutodi said  the ZANU PF conference effectively endorsed President Robert Gabriel as life President of the party.

"This means that Cde Mugabe will be the party's presidential candidate in the year 2018 and the party will review its leadership at Congress in 2019," he said.
"President Mugabe has also dismissed calls by some misguided elements in the party who have been calling on him to appoint his wife as his Vice President thereby demoting Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa."

Mutodi said prominent party cadres who have been pushing for the First Lady's ascendency to VP are Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, Science & Technology Politiburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo, Sarah Mahoka and Enice Sandy Moyo.

"If their wish had been granted, it would have heavily affected the morality and legacy of the President. It would have also guaranteed an implosion of the party by dividing it on regional lines, making it too weak to win any election," he said.
"Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is President Mugabe's long time ally and elections manager over the years and he has not disappointed."

He said President Mugabe is well known as a selfless man, a revolutionary and an intellectual of high standard. This is a temptation that he has managed to overcome.

"He said leaders would only be removed at Congress and the conferences that take place yearly are meant to review the party progress on policy and other developmental issues," said Mutodi.

"The president also castigated factionalism and tribalism within the party and he implored on party members to be united irrespective of their divergent views and personalities."