New twist in Mnangagwa faction feud

Divisions are again widening in the ruling Zanu-PF party, rolling into the new year, causing temperatures to reach boiling point.

Party members in the alleged faction loyal to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa that plotted the ouster of their fiercest rival, former Vice President Joice Mujuru, are said to have turned on each other.

The members are clashing on what to do with Zanu PF lawmakers allegedly linked to Mrs. Mujuru. Some party heavyweights in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland West and East are pushing for the expulsion of the Members of Parliament.

But  some led by Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Environment Minister and party political commissar, Savior Kasukuwere, say they must not be expelled as this is likely to trigger bye-elections.

This has, however, not stopped the friction. In Chipinge South, some war veterans and party members demonstrated last week against their MP, Enock Porusingazi, who has been suspended from the party for 5 years, for allegedly backing the former vice president.

Porusingazi said this is the work of a few party supporters.

Reached for comment, political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said expelling the lawmakers will threaten Zanu-PF's majority in parliament.