News / National
Team Lacoste, G40 leaders sign 'truce'
11 Dec 2016 at 07:23hrs | Views
CO-Vice presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko have been pictured holding hands in public in Masvingo.
On the surface, the rare pose indicate unity among President Robert Mugabe's lieutenants but behind closed doors they are reported to be bitter rivals.
Both are in rival factions battling to take over ever-aging 92-year-old Mugabe in both Zanu-PF and Government.
Mnangagwa is largely believed to be leading a ruling party faction - Lacoste that is fighting the G40 camp.
In July, Mnangagwa gave a press conference disowning the faction.
"I have never at any one time directly or indirectly established, formed, convened or sought to benefit from the alleged grouping (Lacoste), or other such groupings of dubious and libelous character as alleged" he said.
On the other hand, Mphoko was reportedly roped in by Zanu PF's ambitious Young Turks, the G40 which has coalesced around First Lady Grace Mugabe to counter party strongman Mnangagwa, in a bid to advance their ambitions.
Just like Mnangagwa, Mphoko denies existence of his G40.
Last year in December he said, "The G40 that people are talking about is a myth, can someone explain to me what G40 means and who is in that group,".
However, the factions will square off next week in Masvingo as G40 is pushing for the scrapping of the "one centre of power" which gave Mugabe the sole responsibility to appoint his deputies as well as members of the politburo.
On the surface, the rare pose indicate unity among President Robert Mugabe's lieutenants but behind closed doors they are reported to be bitter rivals.
Both are in rival factions battling to take over ever-aging 92-year-old Mugabe in both Zanu-PF and Government.
Mnangagwa is largely believed to be leading a ruling party faction - Lacoste that is fighting the G40 camp.
In July, Mnangagwa gave a press conference disowning the faction.
"I have never at any one time directly or indirectly established, formed, convened or sought to benefit from the alleged grouping (Lacoste), or other such groupings of dubious and libelous character as alleged" he said.
On the other hand, Mphoko was reportedly roped in by Zanu PF's ambitious Young Turks, the G40 which has coalesced around First Lady Grace Mugabe to counter party strongman Mnangagwa, in a bid to advance their ambitions.
Just like Mnangagwa, Mphoko denies existence of his G40.
Last year in December he said, "The G40 that people are talking about is a myth, can someone explain to me what G40 means and who is in that group,".
However, the factions will square off next week in Masvingo as G40 is pushing for the scrapping of the "one centre of power" which gave Mugabe the sole responsibility to appoint his deputies as well as members of the politburo.
Source - Byo24News
