Mnangagwa courts Mliswa

In a surprising turn of events, a panic-stricken Zanu-PF, apparently acting through Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has twice dispatched emissaries to outspoken former Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa in a bid to persuade the maverick politician to withdraw his candidature for the seat ahead of the June 10 by-election.

Mliswa - who was unceremoniously booted out of the ruling party earlier this year, together with a number of other Zanu-PF bigwigs, on perceptions that he was an ally of former Vice President Joice Mujuru - is said to still enjoy considerable support in Hurungwe.

Well-placed sources who spoke to the Daily News yesterday, claimed that this assumed popularity, as well as the fact that Mliswa allegedly had in his possession a "deadly arsenal of damning information" against his rival Zanu-PF candidate in the by-election, Keith Guzah, is what had prompted the ruling party to reach out to him.

"Although Mliswa was accused of being part of Mai Mujuru's camp, which has been ruthlessly purged after being accused of plotting to depose and murder President (Robert) Mugabe, many bigwigs think that it is in the party's (Zanu-PF's) interests to work with him.

"It has not helped the party that although the opposition MDC is not participating in the polls (by-elections) its structures are firmly behind Mliswa in Hurungwe West, which is presenting a formidable challenge to the party," one of the sources claimed.

This nervousness around the outcome of the by-election was despite the fact that Zanu-PF had directed significant resources into Hurungwe, in a desperate bid to woo apathetic voters.

Another source said a victory for Mliswa at the ballot, even though he had recently appeared to trash Mujuru, would deal a potentially fatal blow to the post-congress Zanu-PF - and inadvertently boost the fortunes of the rival Zanu-PF formation that uses the slogan People First, and that is fronted by liberation struggle stalwarts such as Mliswa's uncle Didymus Mutasa and respected war veteran Rugare Gumbo.

"There is uncertainty about the result of the (Hurungwe West) by-election. The fact that some misguided comrades have unleashed violence in the constituency has only served to attract scorn from voters and human rights groups.

"This is why VP Mnangagwa is understood to have twice dispatched emissaries to meet Mliswa, with the VP also telling the party leadership in Mashonaland West to stop using violence.

"The teams that were dispatched to Mliswa are said to have included (interim Mashonaland West chairperson) Ziyambi Ziyambi and Guzah ... and they apparently promised him that he would regain his constituency and have his business interests protected if he agreed to withdraw from the race for the seat," another source said.

"The emerging rift between an increasingly impatient Mliswa and the ousted Mujuru team has given the Mnangagwa camp hope that they can have him back in their camp", the source added.

But Guzah vehemently denied ever meeting Mliswa, curtly telling the Daily News, "I am not aware of that. I have not been in contact with him for a long time."

Mliswa himself was coy about the alleged overtures from Zanu-PF and Mnangagwa, with his initial response being, "How did you know? Who told you that?".

But pressed to shed more light on the matter, the garrulous former fitness coach, who calls Mnangagwa his brother, said cryptically "yes", but did not elaborate what he meant by this.

Meanwhile, Mliswa says he plans to drag Guzah to court on sensational allegations that the ruling party's candidate is allegedly using a phony name.

Mliswa said he would approach the High Court soon so that the Zanu-PF candidate would be barred from contesting in the by-election.

"We have the evidence and we will approach the courts. The evidence is overwhelming, and Guzah should not be allowed to contest," he said.

Mliswa claimed that Guzah's real name was Neverjoy Kachasu Phiri, claiming further that Guzah had changed his name to avoid conviction for car theft.

"Go to Highfields and ask about Neverjoy Kachasu Phiri. They will tell you who he really is. They will tell you that they don't know any Keith.

"The information that was supplied to the electoral commission by Neverjoy is lies because he is not Keith," Mliswa charged.

But Guzah dismissed Mliswa's allegations yesterday as contrived falsehoods, saying he had no time to respond to such glaring lies.

"I do not respond to tired stories. I cannot stoop to his level," Guzah said.