Chiwenga, Mohadi cross swords over succession

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

The Presidium is teetering on the brink of discord following a clash between the two vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi,Zim Now can report.

The duo subtly clashed over a slogan that propounds President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the next candidate in 2030, in de elopement that proves a puzzle hanging in the succession.

During a Zanu PF youth league interface with President Mnangagwa yesterday, party youths from all the provinces recommended that Mnangagwa should continue with his rule upto to 2030.

Vice President Chiwenga did not chant the 2030 ED achange achitonga slogan which was chanted by youth leaders and senior Zanu PF members including party commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, chairperson Oppah Muchinguri and Kembo Mohadi.

When Chiwenga was introducing President Mnangagwa, he called for discipline in the party after the youths continued with their 2030 mantra.

"We should all be disciplined so that we achieve the 2030 vision," he said.

After chanting the slogan in his closing remarks, Mohadi said there was nothing wrong with chanting the divisive slogan.

"I don't know if it's indiscipline that I have chanted the slogan, but our constitution provides for freedom of expression," Mohadi said indirectly taking a jibe at Chiwenga.

Mnangagwa downplayed the calls for him to continue beyond 2028 saying as a lawyer, he was a stickler to the constitution.

"Beside being a soldier, I am also a lawyer and I know the importance of sticking to the constitution; therefore, you are reminded that every member must be loyal to the party and its leadership. You must observe, respect and abide by the constitution, policies, rules and regulations of the party. Further, members have a duty to strengthen, defend and promote party interests," he said.

Zanu PF council of elders chaiperson Sydney Sekeramayi said the issue of succession will not be an individual decision.

"Yes there have been calls for the President to continue but it can not be an individual decision. When the time comes, will sit down as leadership and decide the best way forward for the country," he said.resident Mnangagwa has indicated that he will soon preside over the selection of a new leader setting the tone for a bruising contest in the ruling party.

Mnangagwa's close allies have been mobilising structures across the country's provinces to make resolutions for the President to extend his term beyond 2028.

In an encryptic message a fortnight ago, Zanu PF youth leader Tinomuda Machakaire said the deputy headmaster should not aspire to be the headmaster- an antidote many wildly believed was targeting Chiwenga.

"When you are a deputy, be content with your position. Paradza (referring to his deputy), if you start to envy my position, I will send youths to protect my position. Don't say President should go. If you are a deputy headmaster and you want to be the headmaster, you end up losing your position," said Machakaire.

Chiwenga, who played a pivotal role in the military intervention that led to the ousting of long-time leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, has been viewed by many as a potential successor to Mnangagwa.

He has remained mum on his presidential aspirations.