Mugabe sweats over Zanu-PF suspensions

Zanu-PF is now desperate to readmit members who were suspended or expelled since 2014 on alleged charges of supporting former Vice President Joice Mujuru, as opposition parties plot a grand coalition.

This comes as recent political developments - MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Joice Mujuru joining forces in an anti-President Robert Mugabe protest and hinting on a coalition - have jolted Zanu-PF, with its political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere now questioning circumstances under which some members were suspended or expelled from the party.

The ruling party is divided along two factions - Team Lacoste and generation 40 (G40) - which are both fighting to succeed 92-year-old Mugabe.

In an August 10 letter addressed to Midlands interim chairperson Jorum Gumbo, Kasukuwere sought clarification on the suspension of party district and provincial members who were shown the door last year.

"I write to you in connection with 12 party officials from your province who have written to me presenting their cases where they were verbally suspended from the party in 2015 without being charged and given a right to be heard," Kasukuwere said in the letter.

"The letters came in the wake of a recent politburo directive to regulate all suspensions and expulsions in line with article 28 of the party constitution.

"It has come to my attention that there is no record of any charges against them, or formal decisions taken against them," he said.

Signalling that the suspended Midlands party officials could be thrown a lifeline, Kasukuwere demanded to be "furnished with the current position so that the national disciplinary committee can be guided accordingly".

Zanu-PF is presently consumed in bitter succession wars pitting the G40 faction that is said to be loyal to First Lady Grace Mugabe and the Team Lacoste camp that is associated with Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa has, however, repeatedly denied leading any faction but his nemesis in the G40 camp - that is said to also include Kasukuwere says he is hiding behind a finger.

Over the past two years, Zanu-PF has been characterised by suspensions and counter suspensions, and even the politburo's belated move to stop the no confidence votes has failed to douse the factionalism flames.

Presently, Masvingo province is in disarray as the Team Lacoste and G40 factions refused to take heed of the politburo's call for unity.

Apart from that, thousands of Zanu-PF officials are still unsure of their future in the party, as they remain suspended or side-lined from party activities.

Insiders say with Mujuru and MDC leader Tsvangirai likely to join hands, there are fears that disgruntled Zanu-PF officials could jump ship and join the opposition.

The situation has also been worsened by ever growing hostilities between the Zanu-PF factions with the recent expulsion of war veteran leaders likely to leave the ruling party further divided.