via Army on alert as Zanu PF tensions rise 10 Novemebr 2014
ALL Zimbabwe National Army soldiers have been recalled from leave amid rising tensions and potential disturbances that could erupt as the Zanu PF succession battle hots up.
The ruling party’s elective congress reaches its climax in December and all annual leave for military staff has been cancelled.
All officers have been prevented from going on leave ahead of the congress as the political and security situation escalates from disturbances to out and out violence.
Staff and personnel have been recalled and those already on leave are being instructed to return to duty.
There are two rival factions which could be a hotbed for trouble within the Zanu PF party; one side is being led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru and the other by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, who will go head to head against each other to replace Mugabe, who has been at the helm of the Zimbabwean presidency for 27 years.
Relationships between the two warring factions inside Zanu PF have deteriorated to the point where routine and daily insults are flying between the two camps.
And Mugabe’s wife, Grace has openly sided with Emmerson Mnangagwa and has been at the forefront of mud-slinging towards the Vice President.
However, the Zimbabwe National Army is itself in trouble; its members have been forced to take two weeks’ leave every month in a cost-cutting exercise.
Still, the army has a long and chequered history of getting directly or indirectly involved in Zimbabwean politics, contrary to what Mugwisi said.
The security services have regularly supported Zanu PF when its rule comes under threat and used violence against any opposition or voices of dissent with alarming brutality.
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