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Cde Mutsvangwa

Harare Bureau
Political analysts yesterday hailed President Mugabe for taking a bold stance on the ills that have been affecting Zanu-PF, as well as giving the people the onus to make their choice at the party’s elective congress next month.

The analysts yesterday said by so doing, President Mugabe had directed the party away from compromised pursuit of selfish interests.

President Mugabe on Thursday implored party supporters to dump leaders they were fed up with at the forthcoming elective congress before castigating Mashonaland East chairperson Cde Ray Kaukonde, suspended Mashonaland West chairperson Cde Themba Mliswa and war veterans leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda for fanning factionalism, being big-headed and overstepping their authority.

Analyst Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said President Mugabe had revoked the spirit of the liberation struggle and the congress would bring a new era as people had been given the powers to make their choice.

“He spoke candidly and one hopes that the ambitious top leaders who wanted to use division as a ladder to power have learnt their hard lesson and will never do it again,” he said.

“Now we revert to unity and tolerance for the sake of progress. He embraced mweya weChimurenga (Chimurenga spirit), returning back power to the people. Aspiring leaders for the elective congress must take note. One must cultivate popular support through people-oriented agenda. The congress is bright, new dawn for educated youths hitherto deprived of hope by factional agendas in the Presidium.”

Cde Mutsvangwa said it was clear President Mugabe was aware of the plot to oust him.

First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe has accused Vice President Joice Mujuru of angling to topple President Mugabe with the supporters of opposition parties and her private financiers.

“Vaulting ambition laced with revolting greedy and hob bobbing with post-colonial business interests will not find reward in the people’s party,” Cde Mutsvangwa said.

“The congress will redirect the party away from compromised pursuit of selfish interests to promise of national economic prosperity of Zim-Asset.”

Another political analyst, Dr Charity Manyeruke said President Mugabe had demonstrated to be an outstanding leader able to handle contentious issues.

“When dealing with a contentious issue, he does not immediately respond,” she said. “He takes time to understand the situation, grievances of the people and allows time for reflection.

“He has been quiet for a long time and the whole nation was not sure of his response, but he came out clearly that he does not support factionalism.”

Dr Manyeruke said the address showed that President Mugabe did not want people to be suppressed.

“If one has done irregular things he wants that person to go under the disciplinary procedure,” Dr Manyeruke said. “He allows people at congress to deal with people no longer relevant to the party instead of hurriedly firing them. He believes in the power of the people and he revoked the spirit of nationhood.”