ED 2030 rift and Chivhayo scandals, elephants in t...

ED 2030 rift and Chivhayo scandals, elephants in the room at Zanu-PF meetings

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Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Zim Now Reporter

The ruling Zanu-PF party has announced a series of high-level meetings, starting with a Politburo gathering today, June 26, 2024, at the party's headquarters in Harare.

This will be followed by a Central Committee meeting on June 27 at 10 am, and a National Consultative Assembly meeting on June 28 at 10 am, also at the same venue.

According to a statement issued by the party's Secretary for Information and Publicity, Christopher Mutsvangwa, all members are expected to be seated 15 minutes prior to the start of each meeting.

The Secretary General of Zanu-PF, Dr. Obert Mpofu, has urged all members to attend these important meetings, which are expected to shape the party's direction and strategy going forward.

The meetings will provide a platform for party leaders to discuss key issues, make important decisions, and set the tone for the party's future activities.

But with First Secretary Emmerson Mnangagwa’s loud silence on a key issue and equivocation on another, Zanu-PF Politburo is likely to evade the burning questions.

One such case is that of Wicknell Chivayo, who recently sparked derision for the highest office in the land with his remarks about "capturing" President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his involvement in the US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) scandal.

Chivayo's comments have been widely condemned by many in the ruling party, who view them as reckless and disrespectful. But Mnangagwa himself has kept quiet.

A matter that is also likely to be side-lined is that of Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, who are implicated in a US$88 million goat corruption scandal as they are linked to Chivhayo.

Many have come to believe that the convenient timing of the duo’s case is to protect Chivhayo and has been orchestrated in high places.

The other burning issue that is unlikely to be discussed is that of the party’s 2028 presidential candidate. A growing call by a shrill but very limited number for Mnangagwa to subvert the Constitution and remain in power is counterbalanced by a muted but very strong resistance.

A source told Zim Now that even at Politburo level, the majority of people do not want Mnangagwa to continue beyond 2028, but fear of being targeted and victimised is keeping them silent and apparently compliant.

The meetings will likely review the progress Zimbabwe has made in preparing to host the upcoming Southern African Development Community summit in August, when Zimbabwe is set to assume the chairmanship of the regional organisation.

The ongoing Zanu-PF cell/village restructuring exercise meant to take stock of its membership and recruit new members across the country is also likely to be tabled during the meetings. The process is meant to analyse the extent of Zanu-PF's presence at the grassroots level.