Mutsvangwa throws Zanu-PF bigwigs under the bus

Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday appeared to distance the party from some of its senior officials as the controversy surrounding the co-option of Presidential investment adviser Paul Tungwarara into the ruling party's central committee took another turn.

Addressing journalists in Harare, Mutsvangwa, without naming anyone, dismissed senior figures who had issued statements on the matter as "excitable members" who were not "authoritative voices" of Zanu-PF, remarks that laid bare growing tensions over party discipline and communication.

The dispute has been fuelled by conflicting positions within the party on Tungwarara's co-option, exposing divisions at the top of Zanu-PF's leadership structures.

The central committee vacancy arose after Manicaland central committee member Dorothy Mabika, who represented Chipinge district, was elected provincial Women's League chairperson. Two weeks ago, the Manicaland provincial coordinating committee recommended Tungwarara to fill the vacant post.

However, Zanu-PF political commissar Munyaradzai Machacha swiftly nullified the recommendation, declaring Tungwarara ineligible for co-option. His position was supported by treasurer-general Patrick Chinamasa.

The move has raised eyebrows within the party, as Machacha and Chinamasa previously did not object to the co-option of businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei into the central committee following a recommendation by Harare province. Critics point out that the circumstances were similar, as neither Tagwirei nor Tungwarara originates from the administrative districts linked to the vacant posts.

Mutsvangwa asserted his authority as the party's official spokesperson, insisting that all formal communication should come through his office.

"On the issuance of statements by the party, the authority rests here," he said. "As much as possible try to listen to what I say because that is the position of the party. In politics, some people just get excited."

He said he consulted widely to ensure that journalists received what he described as the most authoritative position of the party.

Turning to the Manicaland dispute, Mutsvangwa defended the provincial leadership, describing it as the "second most populous province" whose recommendations deserved "due weight". He said the final decision rested with the politburo, appearing to brush aside Machacha's earlier pronouncement.

"When the politburo says something, I will come back to you," Mutsvangwa said.

He also warned against what he termed opposition-style politics within Zanu-PF.

"In opposition politics, people can throw barbs at each other," he said. "We are more seasoned and we do not hope politics will be like that in Zanu-PF."

The internal conflict in Manicaland was earlier highlighted by Buhera legislator Tafadzwa Mugwadi (Zanu-PF), who took to X, formerly Twitter, to expose divisions over Tungwarara's co-option.

Mutsvangwa also weighed in on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's succession within the party, saying while ambition was natural in politics, it had to be expressed within Zanu-PF's established democratic processes.

"Everyone who comes into politics aspires to be a leader," he said. "They can express it within the party, but the party has got resolutions. If your idea loses, you comply with the decision of the majority."

He dismissed credentials outside party processes as irrelevant to leadership selection.

"There are no other attributes than being voted for. You might have a history as a businessman, military credentials or be a leader of traditional healers; these are not the ones that determine who is to be the leader of Zanu-PF," he said.

Mnangagwa's presidential term constitutionally expires in 2028, but his supporters are pushing for an extension to 2030 in line with a resolution adopted at the party's annual conference in October. His loyalists have vowed to pursue constitutional amendments to effect the extension, a move observers say is closely linked to ongoing succession battles within the ruling party.