By Staff Reporter
Bulawayo – Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa labeled supporters of vice president Constantino Chiwenga who were ejected from the party’s Annual People’s Conference in Bulawayo as “gatecrashers.”
In a weekend interview, Mutsvangwa dismissed reports of factional clashes at the party’s Conference labeling them “a litany of fabricated falsehoods” and asserting that “nothing of the sort” occurred, despite allegations that Chiwenga’s supporters were ejected from the event.
Mutsvangwa claimed only a few unauthorized individuals were barred from entering the conference venue last Friday.
“I just cross-checked. That’s just not true at all.
“Only two or three ineligible gatecrashers were blocked,” said Mutsvangwa.
“All the administrative arrangements are orderly and working like clockwork orange.
“Delegates left their provinces by party provided business.
“It appears that your complaints are from jay-walkers who strayed into our conference premises,” added Mutsvangwa.
However, sources indicate that numerous supporters of Chiwenga were ejected from the event by Zanu PF’s Harare province secretary of finance, Voyage Dambuza, along with party youths aligned with the “ED 2030” agenda.
This incident underscores the ongoing succession crisis within Zanu PF, pitting president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s supporters at odds with Chiwenga’s faction.
Prior to the factional brawl, Chiwenga on Friday during the conference skillfully avoided endorsing the “ED 2030” narrative, which has been fervently promoted by some party activists endorsing Mnangagwa’s extended term until 2030.
Chiwenga in his speech rather stuck to substantive issues such as programmes aimed at boosting food security in a country battered by drought, the economy, industry as well as unity.
Ironically after the reported factional rumpus on Friday, Zanu PF on Saturday went on to pass a resolution allowing Mnangagwa to extend his term to 2030.
However, party legal secretary Patrick Chinamasa, said Mnangagwa rejected the proposal, emphasizing that it was also legally possible to extend the term, it would require two separate constitutional amendments.
“The short answer is that yes it’s legally possible but to achieve it we would need two separate constitutional amendments,” Chinamasa explained.
“The first amendment would be to remove the presidential term limits, the second amendment would be to remove the disability that the constitution places on the president to serve beyond 2028.
“The constitutional bills must be separate, not in one constitutional bill. And each constitutional bill must be followed by a referendum,” added Chinamasa.
Some analysts suggest that the resolution and Chinamasa’s legal interpretation are strategic moves by Mnangagwa’s supporters to gauge potential resistance to extending his term.
Reports indicate that Chiwenga is backed by a military faction aiming to position him as Mnangagwa’s successor after the latter’s constitutionally mandated term ends in 2028.
As the power struggle within Zanu PF escalates, the party’s next elective congress in 2027 is expected to play a pivotal role in determining Mnangagwa’s successor.
The military’s considerable influence in Zanu PF’s internal dynamics may significantly impact the outcome.
