Zanu-PF Succession Battle Spills To SADC

THE acrimonious succession battle within Zanu PF seems to has spilled into SADC, threatening to derail the power sharing negotiations and the proposed election roadmap.

This came to light during a public meeting organized by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition when Zanu PF functionaries openly opposed each other regarding the stance and attitude that their party must have towards SADC.

The real scheme of things within the fractious former ruling party came out glaring when former American Ambassador Christopher  Mutswangwa told the gallery that Zanu PF is "happy" that the two MDC formations have finally realized the importance of SADC and that his party has invested a lot of trust in SADC solving problems be delving Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Mutswangwa was speaking alongside MDC T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora and MDC's secretary general Priscilla Musihayiorabwi-Mushonga whereas Professor Lovemore Madhuku was the discussant.

"We as a party are happy that the two MDC formations have realized the importance of SADC. Now when there is a problem they approach it and not America and the British as they used to do.

"That is why we have invested so much trust in this regional body run by fellow Africans.

The former Ambassador added: "You people should be grateful of our generation because we brought the liberation you are enjoying now."

However, his bubble was bust when one Goodson Nguni of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations (FENGO) stood up from the audience and castigated SADC for allegedly working hand in glove with "imperialist agents."

Nguni is an acerbic critic of the opposition and a Zanu PF activist.

Said Nguni who stunned scored of Zanu PF members who were in attendance at the public meeting.

"When we go to Angola, we must tell SADC to back off from the Zimbabwean problem. SADC has become a regime change tool and it must not be entertained anymore.

" The opposition has failed to remove Zanu PF through the British and Americans, now they are using SADC as plan B strategy and that will not work," he said much to the shock of many a Zanu PF faithful in the gallery.

The negotiators of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which gave birth to the fragile government of national unity, will be meeting in Angola in a fortnight for way forward regarding the SADC Roadmap
timelines.

When Priscilla Mushonga' turn came she lambasted Ambassador Mutswangwa and Nguni for dragging Zanu PF internal squabbles over the succession to the people and SADC.

"What you said (pointing to Ambassador Mutswangwa who was next to her) and what Nguni said clearly shows that the centre is not holding in Zanu PF.

"You people (Zanu PF) must stop bringing your internal succession battle here. We believe that succession is an internal issue but when it spills to the running of this country and its future that is when it becomes a problem.

" Those that believe that Mujuru (Vice President Joyce Mujuru) should take over after President Robert Mugabe do not want elections, whereas those that believe Emerson Munangagwa should take over want elections.

She added: "This should not spill into SADC and stop progress there, we are not a nation of fools and will certain not allow Zanu PF internal politics to spill into SADC and disturb progress there."

MDC T Mwonzora concurred with Ms Mushonga arguing that internal differences amongst Zanu PF heavyweights eying power after the Robert Mugabe regime are also fuelling "confusion" at SADC as they have different position on one thing.

Zanu PF has for the past decade accused the American and British governments of founding and funding what it calls the "regime change" project.

The two MDC formations have denied this arguing that they are a product of long fermenting discontent from the oppressed masses.

The former ruling party has been a "darling" of SADC until it annoyed the regional body by failing to reform in its operations.