via Mugabe praises Grace, Kasukuwere – NewsDay Zimbabwe December 11, 2015
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has singled out his wife Grace and political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere for praise for working tirelessly to mobilise support and keep Zanu PF alive.
BY Everson Mushava
Mugabe was addressing central committee members at the ruling party’s headquarters on Tuesday ahead of the Zanu PF conference, which opens today in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
He said Zanu PF was getting stronger by the day, courtesy of efforts by the women’s league headed by his wife and the Kasukuwere-led commissariat department.
This was despite the veteran leader immediately warning of an impending split of the party due to persistent factional power fights triggered by the succession race.
“While credit for the good image and standing of the party is shared by all of us, allow me to single out the women’s league and the commissariat for working tirelessly in mobilising and keeping the party alive,” Mugabe said.
Grace has been holding nationwide rallies whose objectives the party has struggled to explain while some party members alleged were divisive.
Last year, Grace led a nationwide campaign against former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, who was then booted out of the party on allegations of plotting against Mugabe.
Kasukuwere is reportedly leader of G40, a faction in Zanu PF that allegedly enjoys Grace’s support. G40 is embroiled in a tussle for power with another faction reportedly led by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mugabe said the party had regained its glory days as evidenced from the victories in by-elections conducted throughout the country that were boycotted by the MDC parties.
The 91-year-old leader said the elections were key to test the strength of the party from the point of view of its membership, the efficacy of its organs, rules and mobilisation strategies.
“We rule the roost,” Mugabe said.
“We have gained a foothold, nay, embedded ourselves in those areas hitherto perceived as dominated by the opposition. However, we should never allow complacency to set in. We must remain on our toes; remain on the road, with meetings taking place in different parts of the country every week.”
Political analyst Takura Zhangazha said for Mugabe to castigate factionalism and praise some of its perpetrators was a show of double standards and hesitation to deal with factionalism in the party.
“While the President derided factionalism and praised some of those that are allegedly also part of it, he demonstrated that in the final analysis he does not want to get rid of one faction over the other.”
In recent times, Mugabe has publicly shown that he sides with his wife in whatever she does.
“Mugabe protects his appointees and that includes Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa should simply watch his step and avoid directly offending his benefactor.”
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