Grace Mugabe on Succession: Is this the beginning to an end?

Just about a month ago, War Veterans Minister Cde Tshinga Dube was rebuked for suggesting that President Mugabe must consider naming his successor to avoid confusion surrounding the ongoing succesion wars. Some G40 extremist led by the normally drunk Sandi Chimhene went on to even demand of his immediate expulsion from the party and government. There have been several casualties before who have found themselves chucked out of the Zanu Pf for suggesting an honest and open debating regarding the 93 year old president, Chris Mutsvangwa & a group of pro Mnangagwa War veterans are notable examples. Interestingly, the same messsge is now  coming from the powerful Womens league boss "Dr" Grace Mugabe who doubles as Mugabe's wife and the mother of notorious drug addicts and gangs who are causing havoc in Johannesburg. In 2014, the same First lady was parachuted into the powerful women's league and her entry into the political discourse changed the power structure of Zanu Pf and government that resulted in hundreds of Zanu Pf activists being suspended or explelled from the party and government. Joice Mujuru, Rugare Gumbo, Didymus Mutasa can write books about thier fallout.

There is no doubt that Grace Mugabe's entry into the political discourse has changed the course of the power dynamics within the ruling party. Dozens of powerful former allies and Cdes have found themselves in the way side for plotting to block or prevent Dr Mugabe from succeding her husbund.

The biggest question for today is who sent Amai Mugabe to tell her women's league collegues that it is now incumbent upon the president to announce his successor while it is still practical for him to do so. Was it a women's league resolution, a suggestion from her own 'independent' thoughts or a pre-planned bedroom arrangement that had to be unpacked.

We must'nt forget that the very same Amai Mugabe has in the past warned those ambitious party cadres that leaders are choosen by the people not imposed by anyone. According to the party rule book, it is a criminal offence for one to aspire to be a leader or succeed the 93 year old veteran dictator who had been pictured numerous times by the local and international media sleeping at some official events. The very same leader can barely walk without any assistance, not to mention that he has red wrong speeches or traveled thousands of miles only to find out that the intended meetings have been cancelled or he wasnt really needed. For a 93 year old human being, one can be forgiven for all these errors as it is part of our human nature for one's facaulties to be impaired at that age.

Nevertheless, one can never be forgiven for overloading their 90 year old grand parents with numerous administrative tasks and duties especially if such decisions can affect over 13million citizens. The only reasonable explanation for would be if one' s mental facaulties are disturbed or if they possess an ulterior motive that they best understand.

Back to Amai Mugabe's utterances, its quite clear that the first lady wields enormous amout of power within her party and government. Vice President Phekezela Mpoko has in the past admitted that he takes some "notes" from Amai Mugabe from time to time. Furthermore, the Tsholotsho North legislator Professor Jonathan Moyo has exposed to us that the controversial command agriculture was Amai Mugabe's initiative that has since been high jacked bu Vice President Mnangagwa for his own succession ambitions.

Nevertheless, it is not a criminal offence for anyone to be ambitious or seek a most powerful organisational position later on in politics. We all knoe that politics is a discourse of power, how to grab, expand and maintain it. Its quite unfortunate that in the process, there may be casualties who find themselves or allies on the wrong side and ultimately ejected from the political system.

Whatever the case, Grace Mugabe is the wife of the country's president and the leader of the powerful party's women's league and therefore she enjoys unlimited immunity from public rebuke or criticism. Some bold cadres have in the past tried to voice their frustration at her undue influence within the operations of rhe ruling party and found themselves being suspended and expelled from Zanu Pf. In some rare occasions, state litigations have been initiated as with the case of Jabulani Sibanda. The only crime that some of these cadres committed was encouraging their veteran leader to bring the issue of succession into the table.

Now that the powerful Grace has brought this contentious succession issue into the limelight we are waiting to learn how the distinct political factions within the ruling party will respond to this latest and likely decisive political episode. Will they embrace her idea or otherwise choose to be conservative as has been the status quo. Is this the beginning to an end?

James Katso is a political & media analyst as well as Freezim Congress spokesman.

For more information contact jimkatso@gmail.com