by Zimdaily
November 24, 2004
HaRaRE- President Robert Mugabe has admitted a major rift in the leadership of his Zanu PF party over succession, and pledged to act against what he called over-ambitious party leaders.
a visibly angry Mugabe told supporters in rural Lupane, Western Zimbabwe, that he was aware of senior party officials who were making "clandestine moves for top positions in the party".
Mugabe did not mention any names, but said he would publicly name the "culprits" before next month's Zanu PF congress in Harare.
"We are seriously divided. Not you the supporters, but among us at the top level. There are certain individuals who are trying to get to the top using money they received from white capitalists who have links to Britain," Mugabe said."These divisive elements, let them be warned, we will deal with them".
Mugabe's furious remarks came at the end of two-weeks of political drama within his party. Mugabe blocked the ambitions of Emmerson Mnangagwa to become Vice President, instead backing Joyce Mujuru, the minister of Water Resources and Rural Development, for the post.
Party insiders said Mugabe was incensed at what he felt was disobedience by some provincial executives, which defied him by refusing to nominate Mujuru for co-Vice President. Four provinces nominated Mnangagwa, while three others even sought the ouster of Joseph Msika, the other Vice President.
These developments are said to have angered Mugabe, who sources say accused Mnangagwa in a meeting last week of bribing provincial leaders to defy Mugabe and block Mujuru's candidature.
"The President felt uncomfortable about Mnangagwa being Vice President. It meant he (Mugabe) was always going to have a strong figure with a lot of grassroots support breathing down his neck. He would prefer a weak VP who is no threat to his position," said a senior Zanu PF official from Masvingo, one of the provinces that nominated Mnangagwa.
according to our source, Mnangagwa had enlisted the support of Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Chinamasa, the Minister of Justice, in his campaign. It is said Mnangagwa had promised to use his clout to have Chinamasa voted in as party chairman, while he had also promised Moyo the office of Secretary for administration, Mnangagwa's current position.
HaRaRE- PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe this week launched a scathing attack on Zanu Pf members who use money to rise to positions of authority.
In an apparent reference to information tsar Jonathan Moyo and Zanu Pf secretary for administration Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe said he would expose those who want to rise positions in the high echelons of Zanu PF using money from "white capitalists".
Moyo has been busy donating computers in Tsholotsho a seat he has set eyes on. Last week Moyo invited top Zanu Pf functionaries to a prize giving day in Tsholotsho. Politicians seen to be sympathetic to Mnangagwa graced the occasion.
"There are mischievous individuals misleading people by using money from white capitalists. Their names will be revealed before the forthcoming congress. Their actions are meant to sideline the old leadership of the party through clandestine ways, divisive ways and cunning methods to sway you. Don't be divided, don't be purchased, we are not for purchase," Mugabe said.
Mugabe questioned the inclined motive to dividing the party.
"Who are you to want to have that place which was given by the congress," he asked.Sources told Zimdaily that Mugabe would descend on Bulawayo on Friday to patch the differences emminent in the province. Sources say Mugabe wants an explanation on why the province had defied Politburo directive to nominate a woman as co-vice president. The province nominated Mnangagwa ahead of the Politburo's choice minister of Water Resources and Infrastructural Development Joyce Mujuru. Mujuru subsequently won the ticket to the presidency in six of the ruling party's 10 provinces.
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