via New war breaks out in Mugabe’s Zanu PF – DailyNews Live 13 January 2015 by Fungi Kwaramba
HARARE – The mother of all wars has now broken out in President Robert Mugabe’s sharply divided Zanu PF party, with many of its leading lights, including some liberation war pioneers, deciding that it is time to confront the nonagenarian head-on.
In an unprecedented move which is set to shake the ruling party to its core, and possibly result in the party of liberation splitting down the middle, party heavyweights led by former Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa, have called Zanu PF’s damp squib “elective” congress that was held in Harare late last year “null and void”.
They also, ominously, pooh-poohed all the party appointments and changes that were made just before, during and after the controversial congress — pitting themselves for a titanic showdown with Mugabe, his quarrelsome wife Grace and party hardliners who led the assault on former Vice President Joice Mujuru and all party officials who were perceived to be sympathetic to her.
In a statement availed to the Daily News yesterday, that was provocatively signed by Mutasa in his capacity as the ruling party’s secretary for administration, “in the broad interest of democracy and in defense of the Zanu PF founding principles”, the disaffected party members called for the nullification of the entire process of “the so-called congress”, deeming it constitutionally flawed, and agitated for the re-instatement of “the entire constitutionally-elected office bearers of the party in all structures of all wings, as at the 1st of July 2014”.
The no-holds barred statement also called for the nullification of all “purported constitutional amendments drafted and rail-roaded immediately before this so-called congress”, as well as the restoration of the “elective dignity of congress and the one-man one-vote principle as enunciated by our armed struggle and constitution”.
“The sad events of the past months reflect a deep-seated historical failure by the party leadership to correctly handle internal contradictions in the party. Each time the party faces challenges, it resorts to brute force.
“It fails to sum up its mistakes and experiences and provide durable solutions. Contradictions within the party and society as a whole are natural and expected, but these are non antagonistic and should be resolved through debate, dialogue and negotiations.
“Leaders’ energy should be channelled towards enhancing democracy, freedom and unity within the party. Constructive criticism and self-criticism are some of the positive core values of the liberation movement and should be encouraged and embraced,” the statement said.
Mutasa said he had signed the statement on behalf of “the entire membership of the party who believe in constitutional law and authority, and the principle of one-man one-vote”, as well as “all elected office bearers who have been unconstitutionally and unceremoniously removed from office without charge, all current office bearers who recognise and accept that they are unconstitutionally appointed, and all past members of Zanu PF, expelled or who dissociated with Zanu PF voluntarily in prior years due to perceived lack of democratic principles and practice in the party”.
The group said it was “determined to restore the image” of Zanu PF, adding that the statement was a follow-up to Mutasa’s letter to Sadc leaders late last year in which he also slated the party’s December congress.
“As loyal members of Zanu PF, we agree with these points (that Mutasa raised with Sadc) and further appeal to Sadc to assist in resolving this crisis created by the so-called ‘congress’ which continues to be a serious threat to the stability of Zanu PF, Zimbabwe and the region at large,” they said.
They also “categorically” refuted and dismissed all the allegations “peddled by certain counter-revolutionaries, that Amai Mujuru and others plotted to oust the First Secretary and President of Zanu PF and the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe from being President through assassination.
“Amai Mujuru and others categorically deny the allegations. The allegations are malicious and preposterous, and have no foundation whatsoever.
“It is a clear political smear campaign intended to tarnish and obliterate Amai Mujuru’s history of commitment and dedication to the liberation of this country and the betterment of the people of Zimbabwe.
“Zanu PF has never been a platform for settling personal vendettas, but a revolutionary movement with a clear mandate to foster unity, peace and development, and most importantly to champion the economic recovery of Zimbabwe. We should go back to the founding principles of the Patriotic Front.
“We refuse to allow our beloved party to be destroyed by power hungry political imposters who have abused party structures for personal gain. All provinces under the leadership of the ousted chairmen had unanimously endorsed Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe as the First Secretary and President of the Party.
“How could they rebel against a President they have endorsed? This was propaganda which was aimed at making people fear to associate with Amai Mujuru, and must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves,” the group said in their hard-hitting statement.
Zeroing in on Zanu PF’s “illegitimate congress”, they condemned the alleged disregard of Zanu PF’s constitution in the lead-up to, and during the gathering.
Irregularities at the congress included the “questionable constitutionality of the so-called” congress and unprocedural changes to the party’s constitution.
“According to the constitution, a true Zanu PF congress must be elective, providing a free and fair platform for all the party members to elect leaders of their choice without intimidation, victimisation, fear or trepidation.
“This unconstitutional meeting denied members of Zanu PF their constitutional rights through often violent intimidation and coercion and the last minute illegal amendments made to the constitution.
“The politburo and central committee meetings immediately preceding the so-called congress were shrouded in threats, fear, and total failure to express individual opinion. This unconstitutional meeting therefore denied innocent members their constitutional right to freely elect leaders of their choice,” the statement said,
And because the procedures for making changes to the party’s constitution were not followed, the changes that were made to the Zanu PF constitution in December were “a nullity”.
“We believe that if Zanu PF allows this to go unchallenged, we would be indirectly posing a threat to the National Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe. This approach to constitutionalism by a Ruling Party can pose a risk to constitutionalism at the national level,” the group said.
They also panned the ?“unlawful and irregular votes of no confidence” that had been aimed at people perceived to be associated with, or sympathetic to Mujuru.
“It must be noted that it is not a criminal offence to agree with someone’s point of view, and or to appreciate their integrity as a leader in upholding Party values and principles.
“The culling of the Provincial Chairmen and people who were elected by the majority of members in their provinces by small rented crowds of hooligans, purporting to represent the majority provincial members who had previously voted by secret ballot was and remains unconstitutional and therefore illegal,” they added.
They also bemoaned the fact that members had been robbed of their constitutional right to appeal through the party’s National Disciplinary Committee as provided for in Zanu PF’s constitution.
“The continued threats on party office bearers rendered the National Disciplinary Committee powerless, and further eroding the democratic principles and values that have been the foundation of the valiant party since its inception.
“?The ‘votes of no confidence’ were passed by people who were not in the party structures. How could a person elected into office by thousands in the province be removed from office by a group of people who are not even provincial members?
“These ‘votes of no confidence’ were illegal, null and void. We reject the summary dismissals of people without following Zanu PF’s own constitution, and the basic rules of natural justice provided by the Zanu PF and National Constitutions, such as the right to be heard, free of bias and prejudice,” they said.
They further noted that all this had resulted in the erosion of internal party democracy.
In remarks that are set to needle Grace and raise emotions among party hardliners, the group roundly criticised “destructive pre-congress rallies”.
“The rallies leading to the so-called “6th National People’s Congress” left a trail of destruction and division in the party.
“Outside the party and the country’s constitutions and any moral tenets, Amai Grace Mugabe went around the country preaching the gospel of hate in the presence of our very impressionable youths and the traumatised impoverished population,” the statement said pointedly.
It added that “clique of evil plotters” had successfully “waylaid” Grace and Mugabe, using them as “weapons to unleash venomous and uncouth statements against anyone they perceived to be standing for the original Zanu PF values, ideals and ethos”.
“As upright cadres of the revolution, we resolutely and patiently waited for the cardinal direction of our elected First Secretary and President of Zanu PF, but his customary clear and unequivocal stance did not come until this undemocratic congress.
“In disbelief Zanu PF and the whole nation listened to their leader berating his own protégés not only in the party but in government and the august House of parliament.
“It will go down in the annals of our Zanu PF history that for the first time the elected leader alienated himself from the people by this behaviour. Instead of mapping the road for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and major policies uplifting our people, the congress became a farce and degenerated into a praise and worship playhouse.
“We strongly and regrettably bemoan the fact that this clique has robbed President R.G. Mugabe of his legacy as a unifier, a rational thinker and not only a national leader, but also one who inspired the region and the continent of Africa.
“After the 2014 whirlwind of legislation of mob rule, summarily expulsion of loyal members for perceived support of a sitting Vice
President and as mentioned above, departure from the undisputable tenet of the liberation struggle – “one-man one-vote” to imposition of leaders, we now wonder how the nation, region and continent view our once revered President,” the statement said scathingly.
Given the alleged illegality of “the so-called congress”, there was “neither constitutional nor moral authority for it to form structures that can lead both the party and the government”.
COMMENTS
Finally….the end is nigh Mugarbage and ZanuEvil MFs!
You Reap what you Sow! Read carefully and all the misdeeds that have been laid out apply to our National Elections, and the party has never respected the National Constitution changing it whenever there is a barrier to doing what they want. So why would they change now, the clowns that are ousted were just not on their toes and its a jungle out there, only the fittest survive!
What I cannot understand is the behavior of the opposition. A lot of us on these forums predicted the window of opportunity. The opposition have no clue on how to make good of this situation.Worse still the defected opposition (renewal) is having its resignation Daily news headline today MDC renewal team chairman ditches party. Leon Spinks the former world heavyweight champion once said “Opportunity knocks only once. You never know if you’ll get another opportunity.” This is the opportunity to engage the populace and inject some new blood into the opposition.if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities.
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@Doctor Do little, what exactly were you expecting the opposition to do? I ask this question because I think Zimbabwe finds itself in a peculiar position whereby there is not much media vibrancy you find in another countries and therefore their reach is limited to independent papers but no electronic media access.
Tinomunamataishe my brother they should 1) engage the people. at the moment they are fighting each other.2)They are Politicians and whilst Zanu fights each other a lot of opportunities are there to consolidate (combine (a number of things) into a single more effective or coherent whole.) You have to understand that people like me were there when the opposition to this regime started. We helped but being workers and not politicians we assisted in the organization in the back round.When everything was organized we stepped back. I know most of these people and was a friend of the late Gibson Sibanda when he was driving trains and after.Before every meeting we prayed. I still pray that the Gentlemen can stand up again and be counted. Zanu is against the ropes and my brother me not being a Politician my contributions might not have the full answers.
@Doctor Do little, what exactly were you expecting the opposition to do?” I want them to oppose.
It’s OK for opposition to keep low and let the zpf implosion take its full course.
What you see is what you get! Moodla ikoko!
Truth is Mutasa & co are down and out. Whatever Didymus continues to call himself (zanu pf secretary admin or whatever) are just mere hallucinations of a mad man; and is of no consequence whatsoever. Didymus may better still call himself “god of zanu pf” – a title he used to bestow on Mugabe, which I am sure he has now seen a different light and withdraw the title. So why not claim the title for himself?
The point is, whatever titles Didymus hips on himself wont change his fate – if anything his fate still rest, and even morso now than before, with his erstwhile “god”, Chatunga himself. This fool is better warned to stop his shenanigans, and simple go down on his knees and plead for a soft landing; otherwise fall might even turn out to be much harder than anyone can ever bargain for. this is just a pitiful warning to this mindless old man.
Muudzeyi midhara uyu kuti avakutambira kunonyudza – mudoroo chaimo maava kudakudzana mbakumba iyo mvura ichinaya kudayi. Aiyi zvee; ko haazivi kuti unonuyura kusvika muhuru chaimo nhai?
@mapingu, I will take issue with your last paragraph about instilling fear about Mugabe. I think Mugabe is overrated and for a fact he cannot kill everyone – all 14 million of us. For years we have been hostage of that fear letting things deteriorate as long as we are ‘safe’. That fear has not taken us anywhere.
I am not a fan of Mutasa at all but I think we should commend him for taking the challenge to Mugabe. Mugabe has not been challenged within Zanu PF in the last 20 years and the last person to do so was Tekere. It was plain for everyone to see that the consitutional changes were not legal and yet nobody raised a finger – maybe because of that fear “kutambira kunonyudza”.
Mapingu that’s really funny what you saying, but let those with balls take on Robert Mugabe whatever the consequences!!! Mugabe has thrived on people cowardice
Poetic justic: anorwa nebakatwa anofa nebakatwa.. taste your own madicine stupid old man mutasa pamha…..
I cannot think of nicer people to whom this may have happened.
@Mapingu. You did not address the issues raised by Mutasa.Are the issues he raised true or not? That is the question that all intellectuals and political analysts should be interogating. If you cannot engage at this level then you should not be commenting on this platform. Try New Zimbabwe.
My view is that President Mugabe and the new VP’s should respond the issues raised by Mutasa. He suggested that the changes to the constitution just before the congress were not done according to agreed processes and hence all the appointments and decisions are null and void. We need someone in the know to respond to this serious allegation.
I am politically naïve so help me here— How does SADC get involved in party affairs. We failed to deal with our national affairs and we ran to SADC and now we want SADC in ZANUPF affairs. Well if SADC is the solution– why not call them to come run our government.Yes – why not–after all ZANUPF is the government and the government is ZANU. We are forever looking outside for solutions to our situation– look East, engage the Paris Club, get OAU, SADC and South Africa. When are we going to look INSIDE of ourselves to solve our problems. We are, forever, looking to blame somebody, looking for external aid, looking for political assistance and looking for economic assistance- when are we going to look at ourselves and take stock of who we are and what we have and then forge our future from the reality of what we have. Forget SADC and everybody else and deal with solutions generated from within Zimbabwe and émigré Zimbabweans. We have the minds and resources.
Reading between the lines cde Mutasa’s statement three scenarios spring – up. 1) Mutasa is a spent horse in ZANU PF and as such wants the party to expel him which will give some political impetus thereby prolonging his political life outside ZANU PF.
2) Mutasa’s political past is not kind to him. Remember,he was the ZANU PF administrator during the most violent elections in Zimbabwe (2008). Many Zimbabweans needlessly lost their lives and reality is dawning on Mr Mutasa. Life outside ZANU PF ‘s comfort zone is not forgiving and instincts kick in. That mean our dear comrade is pleading for mercy by purporting to be champion of “fair play”. This Mutasa does with the hope that Zimbabweans have very short memory – I wonder.
3) The opposition in Zimbabwe is currently in intensive care so as to speak. Thus,Mutasa must have sported an opportunity to bring all opposing forces under him. Whether it is delusinary or not Mutasa has decided to give it a go. You never know …..chembere yekwa Chivi yakanwa muto.
Remember it is the same Mutasa who was Minister of agriculture, state security and ZANU PF administrator in the past decade who ironically benefitted from the party’s constitutional chances in 2004,coming today in sheep’s skin. He can fool others but not me.
“The last kicks of a dying horse are said to be fatal”, but the same cannot be said of Didymus Diesel Gamatox Mutasa.
Wait and see once His Creator is back in the country.He will be the first/lead the entourage offering HAPPY BIRTHDAY compliments.
@Dr do little, you are correct by raising the question of relevance to opposition parties and their seeming naivety. SADC is the last thing we should look to for solutions to Zim issue, they have failed dismally. The opposition should be mobilising at grassroots and not embroiled in boardroom politics or else don’t write off Mutasa and his group for from look of things they are the bigger Zanu puff faction who were out smarted by two smaller factions, that are today fighting each other. The boardroom con-grace in December was not a people’s congress but Mugabe appointee show.
They feared the membership in Zanu puff hence the non-event they finally had. If only we had an opposition that represents the people, not a bunch of oppurtunists whose interest is in power, and are waiting for that to happen as Zanu self-destructs, not because they have an clear support base or policies that are people and economy driven. What we have is an opposition sitting on the fringes and is banking on the people’s anger with Zanu puff’s failure. Hunger, unemployment and a failed economy make the populace vote the opposition not because they want it but out of anger in the ruling party, to show people’s muscle and power.
Look at events after the Arab spring..the people wanted the dictators out but there was no coherent and proper alternatives. This exactly is the current dilemma in Zimbabwe.
We are witnesses of the fall of the party called Zanu PF. Indeed it’s just like gradually heating a frog until the water boils ….It must be a 5th column or the enemy within that is doing its work with excellent precision. Weldone to the master minder of this war within. The truth always come up when you put even the perpetrator on a disadvantage. Mutasa is as bad as Mugabe if not worse because they are the same tools that suggested and implemented the destiny of Zimbabweans.
Cde Mutasa is trying to prod the silent zanupf lion inorder to get its attention.Shame!!! Fortunately,the animal has turned its back on him. But this move maybe an acid test-the lion may stand up to devour him if he continue with this annoyance.Its plain to everyone Mr.Cde, that the same medicine you made for us Zimbabweans turned to be sour to you. Lets all drink it. Its too late to tell us of the injustice of zanu after some decades of looting and lawlessness. Better dont try to seek media attention for zimbabweans sympathy. U deserves no sympathy. Maybe you can just empty the bag of worms from your ‘Gods’and go hang yourself.
Dont take us as fools. What justice can you correct when sacked which you failed to do when we voted for you?
This is amazing – while the kicked-out lot was in Mugabe’s good graces and consequently powerful, they were some of the worst offenders in crimes against the people of Zimbabwe. Now suddenly it is about constitutionality and complying with the law. I would not trust them as far as I can through them.
This lot can still play a part in saving the people of Zimbabwe – but would they have enough guts to do anything of the kind? I doubt it very much. They are cowards who did nothing to protect anybody – but their constant looting of resources while they were in a position to loot was possible.
This drivel coming from Mutasa of all people is a joke. Burbling about legallity and constitutionality makes me puke, for the last 30+ years his party has broken every rule in the book and now that it has affected him he crys like a baby Hopefully he will take one step too far in his rantings and then there will be another traffic accident, one more down and one less to worry about. Zanu trash
It is very, very tempting to accept into our anti Mugabe ranks anyone who might help us challenge the greed and power madness of Mugabe and his deranged wife. However, never let us forget the Mutasa that we knew and feared in the past…when he was grovelling at Mugabe’s knee, licking his boots and living the good life…and strangling all the lawful aspirations of Zimbabweans. What about the half of us that he wanted dead because we were not prepared to adopt his boot licking?
What we must do is not half liberate ourselves, but rid ourselves of Mugabe and his whole crew. And that means all the people who did his dirty work in driving us from Zimbabwe to live in unhappy exile all over the world.
Do I see a glimmer of light at the end of very long and dark tunnel ? Dare I begin to think that mugabe&co’s end is drawing nigh ? Will I soon being cracking the bottle of champers which has had mugabe’s name on it for past 10 years ?