We’re not involved! Saviour, Mzembi deny flaming Zanu PF succession row

By SABC News and Own Correspondent

EXILED former cabinet ministers, Saviour Kasukuwere and Walter Mzembi, have dismissed charges they are interfering in claimed succession battles within the ruling Zanu PF party.

The former senior Zanu PF officials left Zimbabwe in 2017 when the military removed now-late strongman Robert Mugabe from power, with his former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa taking over.

Despite the then pro-Mugabe G40 faction’s top leadership escaping into exile, reports of bitter divisions have continued in the former liberation movement.

Party spokesman Chris Mutsvangwa recently pointed an accusing finger at Kasukuwere, claiming the former Zanu PF commissar was plotting to topple Mnangagwa.

Responding in an interview with South Africa’s SABC, Kasakuwere said takes the allegations against seriously.

“The management (leadership) is just unable to achieve the legitimacy it requires, hence every other day, they look for someone to blame for their misfortunes,” he told the SABC.

“The party itself has never been unanimous or in agreement with the decision to remove Mugabe the way it did.

“Even after they took power, they have never been able to discharge their responsibilities democratically and justifiably. They continue to abuse the laws of the country.”

For his part, Walter Mzembi said it was impossible to influence the leadership succession in Zanu PF while in exile.

“If we are that strong to the extent where after seven years we are still able to directly or indirectly (influence the) discourse in the Zanu PF, then it means we have a locus standi in matters that relate to Zanu PF as a party,” he said.

Tensions in the Zanu PF leadership were, according to some analysts, stoked by Mnangagwa allegedly reneging on deal to serve one term and hand over power to vice president and former military chief, Constantino Chiwenga.

Divisions have lately deepened over recent moves by Mnangagwa loyalists calling on him to remain in power until 2030; two years beyond the Constitutional limit of two terms, the last of which ends in 2028.

Last month, in what was seen as an attempt to calm the tempers, Mnangagwa said he would not violet the constitution, adding that he wanted to retire and rest.

“I did my five-year term and we went to a congress, and you elected me again. Now I’m doing my last five years and its towards the end of the term. I will go and rest,” he said at an event in Manicaland.

But that has failed to stop the ‘2030 campaign’ by loyalists which has n ow been endorsed by several of the party’s structures and administrative provinces.