Mugabe, Grace should speak strongly against factionalism

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace should speak strongly against factionalism and stop fanning hate language and divisions in Zanu-PF, observers have said.

Observers warned of an implosion in Zanu-PF as tempers continue to flare ahead of congress where Vice President Joice Mujuru loyalists are under siege.

Speaking in Harare during the Zimbabwe National Editors' Forum-organised discussion on "factionalism and the role of the media", political analyst Ibbo Mandaza said people in Zanu-PF should speak strongly against hate speech and accused Grace of further dividing the party.

"In the mind of Amai Mugabe, factionalism was anything opposed to her husband and all those who are factionalists are opposed to Mugabe. Factionalism is like two soccer teams and each has 11 players and reserves. It implies equal forces competing for a camp," Mandaza said.

"There are people who are supposed to talk against that, people including the Head of State and his wife who have fanned factionalism now more than ever before."

MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora warned of potential bloodshed in Zanu-PF, saying the ongoing internal fissures were "a recipe for disaster".

"Those involved try to win at all costs and it becomes very dangerous. If one starts winning, it takes all and this makes factionalism very dangerous," Mwonzora said.

He said his party's intended demonstrations were not meant to illegally remove Mugabe from power, but "to force his government into action to deliver its electoral promises".

"What Mugabe has said as an answer to factionalism is that he will deal ruthlessly with a faction he doesn't like. We hope as we go to your congress [members of Zanu-PF], we won't carry any coffins," Mwonzora said.

But Zanu-PF deputy director for information Psychology Maziwisa blamed the media for fanning hate speech, saying his party would not implode as anticipated ahead of congress.

"Everybody has misjudged the mood in Zanu-PF. If you think Zanu-PF will implode, December is the answer. The MDC-T will implode into MDC-Mwonzora, MDC-Chamisa before Zanu-PF implodes," Maziwisa said.

"Some issues have been blown out of proportion and the media has been fanning hatred and taking sides. We feel that is regrettable and not in the national interest."

Daily News senior assistant editor Guthrie Munyuki, who was a panellist during the discussion, said that the media was doing its job of writing stories as they were.

"We don't fan or promote hatred, but we report on what is happening," Munyuki said.