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IT is said when two dogs fight for a bone, it is the third dog that wins the fight. This truism guided Zanu-PF, Team Zanu-PF — that had almost donated the reins of power to the MDC-T through needless divisions in 2008 — to a resounding victory in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.
No sooner had the united Zanu-PF scored a crushing landslide than divisive elements within, who had long gone to bed with the MDC-T during the inclusive Government, begun to cast the then vice president Dr Joice Mujuru as successor to President Mugabe who had just won a resounding, five-year mandate to lead the nation.
Thankfully Zanu-PF was able to deal with the rogue elements who now openly flaunt their reactionary agenda alongside the opposition MDC-T, and in so doing vindicate the revolutionary party’s decision to send them packing.
When we all thought self-defeating tendencies died with the 6th National People’s Congress’ confirmation of party First Secretary and President Cde Mugabe as the sole centre of power, opposition media embeds have begun peddling alleged factions and aspirants for the Presidency pitting the so-called G40 reportedly sympathetic to national political commissar, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, and another camp allegedly aligned to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The private media have been peddling the stories for a while with none of the alleged gladiators taking the initiative to set the record straight.
This is why we hail Cde Kasukuwere for breaking the silence by distancing himself from the alleged succession talk by reminding the media and nation alike that there is one centre of power in Zanu-PF and Government, and that power vests in President Mugabe.
For those who may have missed it, this is what Cde Kasukuwere had to say in response to the alleged presidential ambitions.
“I wish to make it categorically clear that I have been appointed political commissar and Minister of Local Government and National Housing by President Mugabe to carry out duties and responsibilities which are to build the party and run local councils, and I am very honoured (for that).
“I am very dismayed that some people want to start unnecessary and stupid lies about succession when President Mugabe was elected less than two years ago.
“I want to dismiss these divisive tendencies and urge people to stop to try and pit one against the other in a non-existent contest . . . I am just a servant and I’m not seeking any office other than those President Mugabe has appointed me to.
“I respect Cde Mnangagwa as my Vice President, let alone supporting President Mugabe as the one centre of power.”
Cde Kasukuwere’s pronouncements, that dovetail with President Mugabe’s warning in his address to the Zanu-PF Youth League that a second gamatox cabal was emerging in the party, need to be emulated by all whose names are being touted in the succession matrix, or if the people have such ambitions, they should pronounce themselves so that the needless, ceaseless, speculation can end.
We also urge the rank and file of Zanu-PF to recall President Mugabe’s wise counsel during a recent Politburo meeting that they should not let the media divide the party.
Zanu-PF, as a party that informs Government, was given a resounding mandate to deliver its progressive, pro-people agenda manifest in Zim-Asset, and to deliver the party needs to work as Team Zanu-PF and abhor all sideshows or inimical sideshows, real or contrived.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Online Reporter