News / National
Zanu-PF factions fight for control of Mugabe bash
23 Feb 2016 at 06:02hrs | Views
PREPARATIONS for President Robert Mugabe's 92nd birthday bash in Masvingo on Saturday are reportedly on the rails, as the ruling Zanu-PF party's warring factions have locked horns over control of the event.
The host province, Masvingo, has split into two camps, with one group believed to be sympathetic to First Lady Grace Mugabe, claiming sole responsibility for the function, while another faction linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa maintains they are in charge of the festivities.
The main celebrations are set to be held at The Great Zimbabwe Monuments, but factionalism has threatened to spoil the party, with suspended provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira, a Mnangagwa ally, telling sponsors that he was in charge of the annual jamboree.
Chadzamira was suspended by party political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere last week and replaced by Amasa Nenjani.
But Chadzamira dismissed the suspension as a nullity and went on to counter-suspend provincial commissar Jeppy Jaboon and provincial women's league chairperson Veronica Makonese on allegations of backstabbing other executive members.
Yesterday, Chadzamira said his faction had raised $35 000 and all other logistics required for the successful hosting of the bash.
"We are ready to roll and we have all that is needed for the successful hosting of the bash. We have secured 43 beasts, we have raised enough fuel, food and cash amounting to $35 000," he said, dismissing claims they had stolen fuel donated for the function.
On the other hand, Nenjani, a Grace ally, insisted his faction was the legitimate organiser of the event.
"We are the legitimate Zanu-PF in Masvingo. All the others have started a parallel structure," he said.
The Nenjani faction, through youth chairman Nobert Ndaarombe, also said it had secured adequate funds and food to host the function.
"We have managed to raise $12 800, which is in the State account, and our party account has $8 100. We now have 35 beasts for the function and many other people have pledged to donate several kilogrammes of beef," Ndaarombe said, adding Chadzamira's faction had stolen more than 5 000 litres of fuel donated for Mugabe's birthday bash.
Jaboon said their camp was the legitimate provincial executive and threatened to "deal with the rival faction after the function".
"We are the real provincial executive representing Masvingo. We distance ourselves from people who insulted the First Lady," he said.
"As Masvingo provincial coordinating committee (PCC), we do not recognise them (Chadzamira's faction). We will deal with them after the President's birthday celebrations. Any PCC meeting should be called by Nenjani."
Kasukuwere yesterday said he expected no challenges ahead of the celebrations on Saturday.
"You can't stop the 21st February Movement," he said.
"We have received reports that all is well. It is pleasing and all roads are leading to Masvingo. This cannot be stopped and we don't expect problems. Most of the requirements have been met."
This comes amid reports that several provinces had failed to meet their set target of raising $30 000 each for the function.
Meanwhile, Harare Metropolitian Affairs minister Miriam Chikukwa yesterday took bootlicking Mugabe a notch higher, appealing for divine intervention to enable the 92-year-old Zanu-PF leader to foretell any alleged evil machinations planned by his detractors.
Speaking at a birthday party for Mugabe at State House, Chikukwa said the President deserved to have a sixth sense to tell him when his enemies were plotting to harm him.
"I pray that God will be able to make you hear and know what the wicked, who plan against you are up to and that you will be able to deal with them," she said much to the excitement of Grace, who sat next to Mugabe.
Reading from Psalms 92 verse 10 - 14, Chikukwa said Mugabe was going to receive serious anointing from God and even in old age.
"Our father (Mugabe) is going to be anointed by the Lord … even in old age, you will flourish and will be able to do things that you have never done before. You will do great things," she said.
Mugabe, addressing his guests, who included service chiefs, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and Cabinet ministers, said the birthday party, which was meant to be a surprise, was no longer surprising, as it was held every year.
He also issued a thinly-veiled attack on factions in his party.
"Let's not play mind games, with this group trying to outdo the other. Let's work on strategies that build than destroy. Anyway, let me not spoil your appetite," Mugabe said.
The host province, Masvingo, has split into two camps, with one group believed to be sympathetic to First Lady Grace Mugabe, claiming sole responsibility for the function, while another faction linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa maintains they are in charge of the festivities.
The main celebrations are set to be held at The Great Zimbabwe Monuments, but factionalism has threatened to spoil the party, with suspended provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira, a Mnangagwa ally, telling sponsors that he was in charge of the annual jamboree.
Chadzamira was suspended by party political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere last week and replaced by Amasa Nenjani.
But Chadzamira dismissed the suspension as a nullity and went on to counter-suspend provincial commissar Jeppy Jaboon and provincial women's league chairperson Veronica Makonese on allegations of backstabbing other executive members.
Yesterday, Chadzamira said his faction had raised $35 000 and all other logistics required for the successful hosting of the bash.
"We are ready to roll and we have all that is needed for the successful hosting of the bash. We have secured 43 beasts, we have raised enough fuel, food and cash amounting to $35 000," he said, dismissing claims they had stolen fuel donated for the function.
On the other hand, Nenjani, a Grace ally, insisted his faction was the legitimate organiser of the event.
"We are the legitimate Zanu-PF in Masvingo. All the others have started a parallel structure," he said.
The Nenjani faction, through youth chairman Nobert Ndaarombe, also said it had secured adequate funds and food to host the function.
"We have managed to raise $12 800, which is in the State account, and our party account has $8 100. We now have 35 beasts for the function and many other people have pledged to donate several kilogrammes of beef," Ndaarombe said, adding Chadzamira's faction had stolen more than 5 000 litres of fuel donated for Mugabe's birthday bash.
Jaboon said their camp was the legitimate provincial executive and threatened to "deal with the rival faction after the function".
"We are the real provincial executive representing Masvingo. We distance ourselves from people who insulted the First Lady," he said.
Kasukuwere yesterday said he expected no challenges ahead of the celebrations on Saturday.
"You can't stop the 21st February Movement," he said.
"We have received reports that all is well. It is pleasing and all roads are leading to Masvingo. This cannot be stopped and we don't expect problems. Most of the requirements have been met."
This comes amid reports that several provinces had failed to meet their set target of raising $30 000 each for the function.
Meanwhile, Harare Metropolitian Affairs minister Miriam Chikukwa yesterday took bootlicking Mugabe a notch higher, appealing for divine intervention to enable the 92-year-old Zanu-PF leader to foretell any alleged evil machinations planned by his detractors.
Speaking at a birthday party for Mugabe at State House, Chikukwa said the President deserved to have a sixth sense to tell him when his enemies were plotting to harm him.
"I pray that God will be able to make you hear and know what the wicked, who plan against you are up to and that you will be able to deal with them," she said much to the excitement of Grace, who sat next to Mugabe.
Reading from Psalms 92 verse 10 - 14, Chikukwa said Mugabe was going to receive serious anointing from God and even in old age.
"Our father (Mugabe) is going to be anointed by the Lord … even in old age, you will flourish and will be able to do things that you have never done before. You will do great things," she said.
Mugabe, addressing his guests, who included service chiefs, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and Cabinet ministers, said the birthday party, which was meant to be a surprise, was no longer surprising, as it was held every year.
He also issued a thinly-veiled attack on factions in his party.
"Let's not play mind games, with this group trying to outdo the other. Let's work on strategies that build than destroy. Anyway, let me not spoil your appetite," Mugabe said.
Source - newsday
