Drama as Zanu-PF infighting causes chaos in Harare, Zimbabwe
Succession of the presidential seat in Zimbabwe has become a major concern in the country.
Since the President, Robert Mugabe became hesitant in choosing his successor despite the continuous advises given to him for a long time now, members of the Zanu-PF party, Mugabe’s ruling party, intervened and chose suitors.
However, different people were chosen as suitors by different members of the same Zanu-PF party, hence causing confusion, which led to infighting.
It is reported that there was a fighting in Central Harare between the soldiers and the police as part of the ongoing faction disputes within the ruling Zanu-PF party over who will succeed President Robert Mugabe.
Civilians in Harare as reported, ran laughing as members of the National Army, in full uniform, begun chasing members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
In the course, several policemen were beaten and others ran for safety into the Central Police Station.
This tension erupted when General Constantine Chiwenga, the commander of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces since 2004, clashed with the police which is in support of the G40 group.
General Constantine and the military openly support Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current Vice President to succeed Mugabe, while the G40 group, which the police support, is in support of Sydney Sekeramayi, the Defense Minister, to succeed Mugabe.
Emmerson Mnangagwa and Sydney Sekeramayi are aged 74 and 73 respectively, according to the sources.
General Constantine (60), who was recently awarded his PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has always been clear that he is a politician before a public servant.
In a rally last week, President Mugabe for the first time hinted that General Constantine and other several generals might be forced to retire in the ongoing scramble for power within Zanu-PF party.
“We respect our defense forces, especially those who are at the top. Of course they will retire but we are going to find them room in government so that they do not languish,” Mugabe was reported saying at a rally last week.
However, analysts like violet Gonda and others have foreseen that Mugabe’s doing this, is to ensure the party’s constitution is changed to allow Grace, the first lady to be a third vice-president.
Mugabe is in plans of getting rid of Mnangagwa, his second vice president to leave his position blank and ready for Grace Mugabe. However, with General Constantine still behind Mnangagwa, and with all his powers, the process may seem to be chaotic – analysts have said.
With Grace reaching the vice president position, sources show that it is a very brilliant step for her to becoming the next Zimbabwe President.
Correspondent: Shamilah Namuddu
