Mugabe's silent diplomacy: Mum on factionalism

PRESIDENT Mugabe made another public appearance at the opening of the Second Eighth Parliament Session today amid growing anxiety on whether he will make remarks about her the chaos fomented by her unrestrained wife in the party but he was silent again and stuck on the agenda of the gathering.

Ever since she was nominated to lead the Women's wing in Zanu PF, Mugabe's wife Grace Mugabe has destabilized the party by fanning factionalism and tearing apart party big wigs including Politburo members.

Grace who is perceived to be an ally of the party's strongman Emmerson Mnangagwa who leads a faction lining up to succeed Mugabe has targeted her husband's deputy Joice Mujuru – a faction leader also positioning to succeed Mugabe – telling her to step down.

But President Mugabe has chosen to be mum although he has made more three public appearances following her wife's 'madness'. He has also postponed politburo meetings – hope to address Grace's 'indiscipline'.

Media reports today also state that the party's big wigs have since been gagged from making remarks about factionalism and the Grace issue on the media, a development which Mujuru loyalists think is a booby troop to ambush Mujuru ahead of the party's crunch December Congress.

But the party's growing factionalism continued unabated again today when party supporters chanted the popular "gamatox" chant which has also largely constitute hate speech which divides Zanu PF.

The chant which Grace has also sung is perceived to be an attack aimed at Didymus Mutasa, a Mujuru ally, by party supporters linked to Mnangagwa faction.

Today, President Mugabe who usually capitalizes on his public appearances to issue to attack party members, surprising leaped to a charm offensive focusing his speech on "development" as if nothing is amiss in his Zanu PF party plagued by divisions.

Mugabe who was expected to set the Parly agenda called on the country to remain united in its quest to build a solid foundation for sustainable development saying the Session will focus on the alignment of laws to the new constitution. He outlined various bills that are expected to be enacted into law during this session.