Divisions rock Zanu-PF following a military coup

Serious divisions have gripped the ruling Zanu-PF party now led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who toppled former president Robert Mugabe following a military coup that catapulted him into power.

Some members of the ruling party are now demanding the ouster of newly-appointed Energy and Power Development Minister Simon Khaya Moyo, who is allegedly linked to former First Lady Grace Mugabe's Generation 40 group, which wanted her to succeed Mugabe.

This came out in a heated meeting in Gwanda attended by top Zanu-PF officials in Matabeleland South province, including Defence, Security and War Veterans Minister Kembo Mohadi, Rabelani Choeni, Obedingwa Mnguni and newly-crowned Youth League provincial secretary Washy Nkomo.

According to Nkomo, the call was made while Khaya Moyo was sharing the top table with Mohadi and other senior officials. He said Zanu-PF members claimed that the former Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa, was in the forefront of forcing Mohadi and others to leave the party before the Zimbabwe Defence Forces seized key state institutions and placed Mr. Mugabe under house arrest.

Nkomo noted that the disgruntled ruling party members claim that Khaya Moyo had a list of names of people who were aligned to Mnangagwa and were supposed to be expelled from the party in the run-up to the Extra Ordinary Congress to be held within the next few days.

He claimed that Khaya Moyo played a key role in the ouster of Mnangagwa, Mohadi and several members of the current president's so-called Team Lacoste faction.

"People are not happy about what he (Khaya Moyo) did before President Mnangagwa bounced back)," said Nkomo, who was expelled from the party together with former Vice President Joice Mujuru said to have also plotted to oust Mugabe at the 2014 party congress.

Mrs. Mugabe attacked Mujuru who was then dumped by the party and replaced by Mnangagwa.

Khaya Moyo was not reachable for comment.

Others being currently targeted for expulsion include Youth League leaders Siphethokuhle Moyo and Vumani Phuthi.

Sources said there was chaos at the meeting as Zanu-PF Central Committee member, Rennie Kibi, nearly fought with the Zanu-PF Women's League regional boss.

Regional Minister Abednico Ncube condemned the G40 group, saying the faction is now in disarray as some members are on the run while others are in jail for allegedly committing serious crimes.