-mediation the only way out
MIDWEEK REPORTER
Political analysts concur that President Mnangagwa and his Deputy Rtd General Chiwenga are engaging in a diplomatic war where they are allegedly pushing their supporters behind the scenes to make noise while they are quiet.

Their supporters let the cat out of the bag recently when Acting President Chiwenga presided over the burial of four heroes at the Heroes Yard.
The two Zanu PF camps dressed each other down as Chiwenga entered the Heroes Yard to uproarious welcome while those in support of Mnangagwa or ED2030 led by Women4ED chair ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera joined in singing that ‘mutengesi chera mwena nguva yakwana’ in apparent reference to the former army supremo.
Chiwenga’s supporters who clearly outnumbered their rivals were not to be outdone as they countered by singing ‘munomuvengereiko Chiwenga’.
According to Great Zimbabwe University lecturer, Professor Fidelis Duri, Chiwenga has been quite and his supporters were less vocal but they took advantage of the recent burials to show where they stand.
“Mnangagwa is pretending to be silent and to be against 2030 term extension but he is pushing the agenda behind the scenes as witnessed by the persecution of those against ED2030 agenda.
“We have seen Chiwenga’s sympathisers being harassed and suspended from the party yet Mnangagwa is quite over the harassment which shows he is tacitly approving what his supporters are doing
“On the other hand Chiwenga is also keeping quite only taking advantage of recent burials where he urged his supporters to be vocal while he says nothing, pretending not to know what is happening,” said the seasoned political analyst.
Prof Duri added that he does not see Chiwenga winning this war as he is now detached from the army where most of his allies have either died or are retired.
“It will be a miracle if Chiwenga wins this one, as I strongly doubt if he is still connected to the army,” he said.
Meanwhile, University of Zimbabwe senior lecturer Professor Eldred Masunungure told The Midweek Watch that Chiwenga and Mnangagwa must sit down and talk about their fall out otherwise it will not end well.
“One of them may emerge victorious but the best way out of this dispute is for the two to find each other. I don’t see this ending well unless there is mediation. The dispute may even lead to the destruction of revolutionary party.
“They should invite the church to play a big role in mediating between the two,” said the respected political analyst.
He added that the two are not enemies but just political opponents and there may not be a total annihilation of one camp.
In most Zanu PF WhatsApp groups the talk is all about ED2030 and the succession issue which has divided the party through the middle.
However, Zanu PF spokesperson Farai Marapira dismissed the suggestion and said the party is solid and there is no need for mediation.
“The singing that you saw at funerals are part of our culture anyone can sing the way they want and it’s allowed at funerals.
“Those who wrote a letter threatening the Minister of ICT are just faceless people and they are not recognised by the party, they are not in our structures.
“The party is solid and the VP is solidly behind the president so to suggest a mediation route is not necessary as the party is one and focused on serving the people,” said Marapira.