INCITING RHETORIC
some idiots who think they can get away with defamation
will pay by the nose. Mhosva hayiwori. #Handeitione! (a
crime does not expire; the long arm of the law will catch up
with you #Itison!) He added in a further tweet “So you &
your Lacoste lot think for me to prove that there are other
reasonable people in Zim I must agree with your garbage?
#Ulimbuluhey!” (you are crazy)
• Pro-Emmerson Mnangagwa activist Energy Mutodi stoked
tempers when he accused Ministers Sydney Sekeremayi and
David Parirenyatwa of poisoning Vice President Mnangagwa
in a statement that is likely to cause more tension in the
faction ridden party.24
• August 31, Zanu PF activist Jones Musara called Professor
Jonathan Moyo a Satanist on Twitter and accused him of
poisoning VP Mnangagwa. Musara tweeted, ED refusal to
deny being poisoned means poisoning yakaitika (poisoning
happened). Dhiziri and Jonso are at the centre of that
poisoning of ED. Pasi nemaG40 poisonists.25 (down with the
G40 poisonists)
• August 22, Magura Charumbira a Zanu PF youth activist
in Bulawayo threatened violence at late Masvingo Minister
of State Shuvai Mahofa’s funeral if Vice President Mphoko
officiated 26
Intraparty tensions, violence and conflict
Zanu PF
Factionalism is not new to Zanu PF, but has always been
managed for political and economic objectives that benefit the
elites, and President Mugabe. Increasingly, there is less cohesion
amongst the elites, evidenced by defiance of directives from the
leadership. These include war veterans, youths, ministers, and
women’s league officials. Seismic shifts were registered with
the death of General Mujuru in 2011, dismissal of former Vice
President Joice Mujuru in 2014, subsequent dismissal of senior
party members like Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa.
Violence and attacks on factional basis have also been recorded,
including allegations of poisoning of opponents as far back as
2015, during party conference. Rallies and demonstrations
targeting perceived “successionists” or those not loyal to President
Mugabe have become the norm.
War veterans were used as storm troopers against Joice Mujuru,
only for them to be ejected within a few years. Youths are now
24
25
26
https://www.facebook.com/EnergyMutodi/posts/688851167970558
Jones Musara Twitter account
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaXrx67rCg8
the new storm troopers. President Mugabe has benefitted from
them but also denounced their abuse at Masvingo Youth Rally
interface. “We don’t want you to be bought off, we know money
is sweet. Those night meetings should end. This habit of using
the youths should stop. There is this huge problem that when we
get to elections some say we don’t want so and so. Even when
you look at Manicaland, the resident minister is not wanted by
others so they are split. Even the chairman of the province is not
wanted, for what reason? They just don’t want? It’s the same as
here”, President Mugabe is quoted.27
Use of state security infrastructure will continue but their reliability
is doubted as they have demonstrated loyalty and allegiance to
Mnangagwa more than Mugabe’s preferred approach, death in
office or a Sekeramayi presidency. Despite the security-civilian
tensions in the ruling party, on April 23, Vice President Mphoko
reportedly called on the military to intervene in the raging Zanu
PF political disputes”28. The relationship of the Zanu PF and the
military remains complex. Reported incidents of Zanu PF intra
party tensions, acts of intimidation and violence recorded during
this period include:
• January 22, in Mberengwa South, Shoko Simbarashe Chikati
was denied maize handouts, he was accused by Silas Shumba
of supporting Member of Parliament Chiratidzo Mabuwa
who is accused of aligning herself to a faction led by Vice
President Mnangagwa 29
• February 18, Masvingo, youths aligned with the different
Zanu PF factions engaged in fist fights at Runyararo West
Hall. No arrests were made, the police were informed that it
was an internal matter.30
• February 16, Gokwe, in the run-up to President Mugabe’s
birthday celebrations, youth officers were allegedly requested
to donate $5 each and collect $1 from party youths’
beneficiaries of government assistance. Youths from the
Youth Project Centre are said to have fallen victim to this.
Some youths reportedly questioned this and were threatened
with ejection from the Youth Project Centre.31
• March 25, Chegutu West, violence broke out during a
meeting convened by MP, Hon Dexter Nduna of Zanu PF.
Nduna accused party youths of abusing party funds32.
• April 16, Harare, Zanu PF provincial headquarters, youths
ZBC Live broadcast Masvingo Youth rally, Mucheke Stadium
http://www.herald.co.zw/mphoko-defends-kasukuwere/
29
http://www.zimpeaceproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ZPP-January-MMR-.
pdf
30
http://www.zimpeaceproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ZPP-February-MMR.
pdf
31
http://www.zimpeaceproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ZPP-February-MMR.
pdf
32
http://www.zimpeaceproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ZPP-March-MMR.pdf
27
28
9