Mugabe plans post-poll Presidium purge

                                      By Vusumuzi Moyo

Heads are set to roll in Zanu PF party’s Presidium after the March 29 general elections as the deeply divided ruling party moves to weed out elements linked to the expelled former Finance minister Dr Simba Makoni.

The Head of the party’s Women’s League, Oppah Muchinguri who is also Gender and Women's Affairs Minister, revealed this while addressing Zanu PF’s female candidates at Nyamande Primary School in Bulawayo.

Muchinguri was responding to concerns by a top Women’s' League official Typhine Nhliziyo who said the party was deeply divided adding some members were openly campaigning for Dr Makoni.

Makoni shocked the nation when he announced early last month that he was challenge for the Presidency and caused further consternation within the ruling party by claiming he had the support of senior party officials who were equally disillusioned with President Mugabe’s leadership.

The move precipitated a scathing attack from a clearly annoyed President Mugabe who was even more shaken when another senior party member, Dumiso Dabengwa openly stated that he was supporting Makoni.

Muchinguri, a key Mugabe ally told a closed door meeting that the post election period would see a purge of party structures, including the Presidium to weed out elements opposed to President Mugabe’s leadership.

The party’s Presidium comprises President Mugabe and his two deputies Joseph Msika and Joyce Mujuru as well as national chairman John Nkomo.

Muchinguri is reportedly campaigning to take over from Joyce, the wife of former Army Chief and influential party power broker, General Solomon Mujuru who is reportedly supporting Makoni.

Meanwhile, in another indication of the chaos within the ruling party, war veterans leader and key Mugabe supporter, Jabulani Sibanda is leading a vandalism blitz that has seen campaign posters of Zanu PF candidates which do not feature the President’s picture being pulled down.

Analysts say candidates, who are under clear party instructions to campaign for Mugabe may have felt they stood a better chance if they did not associate openly with the President who is not very popular with Matebeleland voters.

Campaign posters so far affected by Sibanda’s blitz include those of youth league leader, Absolom Sikhosana as well as Zimbabwe Defence Industries boss, Colonel Tshinga Dube.