Heated showdown at Zanu PF’s 10-hour Politburo meeting

via Heated showdown at Zanu PF’s 10-hour Politburo meeting 5 September 2014 by Everson Mushava

THE Zanu PF politburo meeting held on Wednesday was reportedly characterised by a verbal showdown as the warring factions squared off against each other over alleged attempts by party officials to block First Lady Grace Mugabe from entering politics, NewsDay has learnt.

Although Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo claimed the 10-hour-long deliberations were frank, candid, but amicable, NewsDay is reliably informed there were several confrontations with tempers flaring as factions fought for their skins.

Factions allegedly pitting Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are locked in bitter fights in the race to succeed Mugabe, who turned 90 in February this year.

Things got to a head with the recent entry of Grace into the political arena, with the Mnangagwa faction reportedly claiming some officials from the Mujuru camp had attempted to block her from leading the Women’s League.

Sources said Gumbo warned Mugabe in the Wednesday politburo meeting that the veteran leader risked being dragged into the faction fights.

“He (Gumbo) told Mugabe that he was being misled by the Mnangagwa camp that claims to love him while they were advancing their own agenda,” a politburo member said.

Gumbo reportedly produced newspaper articles, including one by outgoing national deputy