'Mujuru looks poised to grab the Zanu-PF throne'

ZANU-PF's fiercely contested provincial elections reached a denouement yesterday with a faction linked to Vice-President Joice Mujuru poised to sweep most of the polls.

Political analyst, Gift Mambipiri says Mujuru looks poised to grab the Zanu-PF throne ahead of Mnangagwa and any other factional leader who may emerge within the next 12 months.

"Mai Mujuru has outfoxed and outrun her challengers, and she also has a better appeal to the electorate than other factional leaders that are rumoured to have an interest," he said.

"It must be clear to everyone that Mugabe will only be succeeded by his anointed successor. If you carefully look at the developments and characters that have run the party since the Zanu-PF primary elections, the cabinet appointments, recent politburo pronouncements and the results that came so far from provincial elections, then you can't miss the open truth that Mujuru seems to be the annointed one."

Another political analyst, Alois Masepe, was also of the opinion that the battle to succeed Mugabe was being fought in provinces.

"The provinces are the kingmakers as they are the electorate at the next congress. Whoever wins at provincial level is almost guaranteed to get the top post," he said.

Masepe said using Zanu-PF's hierarchical system; Mujuru had all but sealed her ascendancy.

"Anyone who leapfrogs Mujuru will have to use other means. All she has to do is protect her territory, entrench her position and maintain her popularity," he said.

Masepe said there were two movements in Zanu-PF, one which is pro-hierarchy and the other that is anti-hierarchy. He said the anti-hierarchy movement was trying to disturb the status quo and cause the emergence of a new leadership.

"If those on the hierarchy sit on their laurels and say we are there, they will be shocked," he said, adding it was only through manipulation and machination that Mujuru can be upstaged.