Staff Reporter
MASVINGO- The alleged power struggle within Zanu-PF pitting President Mnangagwa and his deputy, Vice President Rtd Gen Constantino Chiwenga has reached another level in Masvingo as all the vocal allies of the retired army supremo were mercilessly purged from the ruling party.
The surprising purging of Chiwenga’s staunch allies has forced all those who were supporting him to withdraw into their shells fearing to be expelled from the ruling party where ‘eating’ is guaranteed as long as one toes the line of those holding the levers of power.
Chiwenga’s faction, which is reported to have the army’s backing suffered a big blow and was left severely weakened in Masvingo following the expulsion of Gutu East national assembly member Dr. Benjamin Ganyiwa and Bikita District Co-coordinating Committee (DCC) member Kudakwashe Gopo.
Mnangagwa loyalists are routing for their leader to remain in office beyond 2028 when he is supposed to step down according to the constitution.
“Those who are pushing for the ED2030 agenda are leaving no stone unturned as they are going for the kill. What they did to the eight who were recently ejected from the ruling party including the motor mouthed former Central Committee member, Bombshell Runesu Geza was just a warning to those who want to be ‘mischievous’.
“It seems the move (expulsions) was a masterstroke as all the noise about ‘Mukanya’ has suddenly died,” said a Chiwenga loyalist who declined to be named for fear of reprisals.
During the party’s 381st Ordinary Session of the Politburo in the capital on Wednesday last week, Chiwenga suffered a big blow after his loyalists were axed and this has sent allies like former Industry Deputy Minister Roy Bhila of Chiredzi into ‘hiding’.
Ganyiwa was expelled for attempting to unconstitutionally remove six district chairpersons and holding unauthorised meetings where President Mnangagwa was criticised.
Gopo again from Bikita, Masvingo province was expelled facing accusations of disrupting District Co-coordinating Committee meetings and forming WhatsApp Groups where Mnangagwa was criticised.
The gamesmanship is so fluid and Zanu-PF members who are opposing the “2030 Mnangagwa will still be in office,” agenda in Masvingo were severely weakened.
The bid to weaken Chiwenga’s camp rages on as Zanu-PF National Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha last week announced plans to develop a Social Media policy which regulate party conduct on-line, which will ensure that everyone toes the line.
He stressed that any deviation from party values or disciplinary standards will result in expulsion, reinforcing a firm stance against factionalism and indiscipline in view of the unpopularity of the ED2030 agenda.
