CIO chief warned Mugabe that Grace's bid will be opposed by the military

Central Intelligence Organisation director-general Happyton Bonyongwe is alleged to have warned President Mugabe that a bid for the presidency by his wife Grace Mugabe will be opposed by the military and could lead to political violence.

Bonongwe also said Zanu-PF must mend relations with the war veterans, according to the party members. The CIO doesn't answer questions from the press as a matter of policy, said an official at its headquarters who declined to give his name.

While the veterans accused the president of mismanaging the country and denounced him in July last year, they recanted last month following an intervention by Bonongwe and the military chiefs.

The National Liberation War Veterans Association view Grace's G-40 faction as "charlatans," its leader, Chris Mutsvanga, said in an interview.

As a result, Mugabe is reported to have asked the First Lady to tone down her criticism of the war veterans and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

According to Bloomberg, Bonyongwe told the Joint Operations Command that serving soldiers are opposed to the G40 Faction and are firmly behind Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the alleged head of the Team Lacoste Faction.  

The G40 Faction which is opposed to the succession of President Mugabe by Vice President Mnangagwa is reportedly backing the first lady for the presidency.