via Mujuru group readies post-Mugabe brawl – New Zimbabwe 07/03/2015
EXPELLED Zanu PF politician Didymus Mutasa could be bargaining for something different by defiantly filing a court challenge against Zanu PF’s December congress, political analysts have said.
The former cabinet minister has ignored persistent threats of dire consequences by President Robert Mugabe if the former went ahead seeking court determination on party affairs.
Mugabe further warned judges against entertaining Mutasa’s court challenge.
“We would want to see which magistrate would sit to hear that case. Then we will question their educational qualifications,” Mugabe told his followers in Midlands weekend.
He has further hinted on the possible arrest of his former aide over allegations of embezzling funds donated towards the Zanu PF congress.
But political analysts said Mutasa was well aware he was flogging a dead horse by approaching the courts to try and overturn the outcome of controversial Zanu PF congress.
Charles Mangongera said by going to court, Mutasa and the entire group linked to ousted vice president Joice Mujuru were eyeing opportunities beyond the current political terrain.
“They are setting a record for a post-Mugabe fight,” he said.
“Their fight right now is not to overturn things now. They are calculating; they know that Mugabe is very old and the probability of his dying soon is very high.”
Mangongera predicted a more bruising Zanu PF fight in a post Mugabe political era.
“When Mugabe dies, it becomes a bare knuckles fight,” he said.
“These guys are many anyway. Some are still in cabinet; the likes of SK Moyo, the likes of Ignatius Chombo who all belong to the Mujuru camp.
“What they are doing is to say that when Mugabe dies, we will come out in our numbers. Once he is gone, the gloves are off and this would be a very brutal fight.”
Kudzayi Kwangwari, another political analyst, said Mutasa was merely trying to perforate a few holes in the Zanu PF’s claim to legitimacy.
“I don’t think he is expecting to win any court case; l think he is only trying to embarrass the Zanu PF leadership. I doubt if this would be successful whichever way he goes about it,” Kwangwari said.
Similarly, Rejoice Ngwenya, another Harare based analyst said Mutasa was not targeting anything close to a favourable court ruling but simply trying to whip up a lot of emotion and likely generate enough sympathy around his case from observers to back up an eventual comeback strategy by him and the entire pro-Mujuru group.
“Even if the courts were to be brave and say the current Zanu PF leadership was not legitimate, l don’t see Zanu PF dismantling and reconvening another congress.
“He cannot go back to Zanu PF with tail tucked between his legs asking for forgiveness. He has now opened a non-return political valve,” Ngwenya said, adding that the court action would likely buttress a bid by the disgruntled group to pursue alternative political avenues.
COMMENTS
Mugabe further warned judges against entertaining Mutasa’s court challenge.
“We would want to see which magistrate would sit to hear that case. Then we will question their educational qualifications,” Mugabe told his followers in Midlands weekend.
What a shameful statement from a Head of State. Now we miss judges of the calibre of Paradza Chinhengo, Devitte and Chatikobo.
Time that this old goat dies. God help us.
The independence of the judiciary is blatantly undermined by President Mugabe. This might well be an impeachable offence.
Mugabe… warned judges against entertaining Mutasa’s court challenge.
“We would want to see which magistrate would sit to hear that case. Then we will question their educational qualifications,” Mugabe told his followers in Midlands weekend.
Who will be brave enough to try and impeach Mugabe and what are the chances of success?
We need to make noise about this. Judges must go on strike. How can the President say this which undermines the Judges. He needs to be impeached. Someone in Parliament shoud seek legal advice and start the process. Wa Magaisa what do you think about this? Your opinions have been very helpful
It would appear to be a useful strategy – i.e. putting on record in the courts a challenge to the Congress of 2014 today, so as to question tomorrow the legality and basis of Mnangagwa’s claim to the presidency when Mugabe goes.
But unless we the people awake from our slumber (unlikely, although Tsvangirai appears to be trying again) it will be he/she who is backed by the armed men in uniform who wins the day – perhaps that is why Grace is trying to get the Defence Ministry, even if that post will be no guarantee anyway.
In reality what is under threat and being attacked is
our democracy, and it is that which we all must fight hard to defend.
For these so called opposition politicians not to see this issue beyond Mutasa shows what novices and lacking in vision they are. Yes Mutasa et al were part to this vampire Mugabe system, but for purposes of fighting for true democratic change let all be on the side of this group. Or is the fear
among the opposition leaders that, if Mutasa et al win this now or after
Mugarbage they will be endeared by grassroots, and opposition leaders will not have opportunity
to the seat of power?
Whatever this group’s past, the opposition should sieze the opportunity to bring sanity to our independence and true democracy by not cheering Mugabe/
Mnangagwa faction against
Mujuru/Mutasa faction.
Surely Mugabe, the stand-up comedian he is, can throw his tantrums but this is the end of an era and the beginning of new political landscape.