Shake-up looms in Zanu-PF

The power dynamics playing out in Zanu-PF will enter a new phase from tomorrow as the two wings of the ruling party the youth and women's leagues convene crucial meetings that would set the tone for the 16th annual national people's conference to be held in Masvingo in December.

The Zanu-PF Youth League will set the ball rolling tomorrow when it convenes its first National Youth Assembly meeting at the party's headquarters in Harare the first such indaba since its national executive was ushered into office in 2014.

Next week, the Women's League will congregate at the same venue for a two-day National Women's Assembly, which will open on Friday, before closing the next day.

Zanu-PF insiders said the meetings, whose agendas are being kept a closely guarded secret, were meant to provide a convenient platform for Mnangagwa's rivals to push for an extraordinary congress in December where those aspiring for President Robert Mugabe's position would either be demoted or shown the door.

While Mnangagwa was forced to issue a public statement last month, dismissing the allegations in the wake of vicious attacks on his person by Sarah Mahoka and Mandiitawepi Chimene, his rebuttal has done very little to appease those who are baying for his blood.