Mujuru's lined up rallies a non-event, says Zanu-PF

THE Zanu-PF national political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, yesterday dismissed former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru's lined up rallies as a non-event that the ruling party won't lose sleep over.

Dr Mujuru, sacked from the government for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Mugabe, has lined up rallies in the country's 10 provinces ahead the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) party official launch scheduled for the end of July.

In a real political test since the formation of the opposition party in May, Dr Mujuru is set to address her first rally in Bulawayo at Stanley Square in Makokoba suburb.

Interestingly, Mrs Mujuru has chosen the Robert Mugabe Square in Harare to officially launch her party, the same venue of the successful One Million Man March organised by Zanu-PF youths on May 25 in solidarity with President Mugabe.

Kasukuwere, who was in Bulawayo yesterday, said Mrs Mujuru could not be considered as a factor in the country's politics. "That's a non event", he said referring to the Bulawayo rally. "We won't lose sleep over it. She has no people and the best thing to do is to resign from politics."

Commenting on the planned launch of ZimPF at the Robert Mugabe Square, Kasukuwere said: "She will be embarrassed. Like I said, she has no backers. She can never achieve the numbers we recorded during the Million man March."

The situation on the ground paints a gloomy picture for the party with reported infighting within the Bulawayo structures leading to a recent vote of no confidence passed against the provincial co-ordinator Ms Esnath Bulayani.

The party moved to reverse the no confidence vote but insiders said that did not restore normal relations between members as there are still divisions. At national level, there has also been reported tussling for positions with former Zanu-PF politburo members Mr Rugare Gumbo and Mr Didymus Mutasa allegedly pressuring Mrs Mujuru to give them senior positions.

The ZimPF deputy spokesperson, Mr Kudzai Mbudzi, told our sister paper The Herald that Mr Gumbo and Mr Mutasa were holding Mrs Mujuru hostage as they wanted her to "anoint them" for positions.

Mrs Mujuru also faced a revolt from the party's youth with Jim Kunaka leaving the opposition party to join Zanu-PF citing the former Vice president's poor leadership qualities.

Meanwhile, the Zanu-PF deputy secretary for youth affairs, Kudzanai Chipanga, yesterday paid tribute to party youths from Bulawayo for their huge turnout at the One Million Man March.

Addressing youths at a youth housing scheme ground breaking ceremony in Mvutshwa, Chipanga said even President Mugabe was happy that there has been restoration of order in the province.

"You came in your numbers and even the Harare residents could feel that Bulawayo had arrived," said Chipanga.

"I want to thank the entire leadership of Bulawayo, it shows that you are confident of the leadership of President Mugabe. The President said I should thank you for what you did."