The Sunday Mail
IT was long time coming and when it came it took so many people by surprise such that up to now, some have not yet recovered while others have recoiled to weigh their options.
Like a bolt from the blue, the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe hit the nail on the head tearing factionalism in Zanu-PF in a manner never seen or heard before. To some this was a refreshing and overdue bold move while to others, this was sheer recklessness on the part of this new entrant into national politics.
Whatever views and from whatever standpoint, the truth of the matter is that somebody just had to gather the guts and shame factionalism in Zanu-PF. This was long overdue because the silence and whispers were fertilising the cancer as it ate the veins that make up Zanu-PF. For many years, many people especially those in Zanu-PF whispered about factionalism in the party and while it was clear to everyone that this cancer was weakening the revolutionary party, no one was bold enough to come out in the open to name and shame those involved in this political evil. It was taboo to talk about factionalism in Zanu-PF and the closest one could get in trying to weed out this cancer was through muted slogans that were vague. This suited the king makers of factionalism who grew to overestimate themselves and thought they were untouchable.
As the whispers continued, secret meetings were held in the middle of the night, plots and sub-plots were hatched, dirty money exchanged hands, those seen to be against the night shenanigans were threatened or beaten into silence. Factionalism seemed out of control and its ragging fires engulfed many corners of the country. Zanu-PF seemed powerless to do anything and slowly some people began to accept this cancer as a permanent Zanu-PF feature. Even the elections disaster in 2008 when Zanu-PF almost got out of power was not enough to jolt the party into extinguishing the ragging fires of factionalism. Then the out-going Zanu-PF Women’s League boss, Cde Oppah Muchinguri came with a master stroke of a decision. She got fed up with the factional fights and did the unthinkable. She decided to reliquish her post and leave it to the First Lady. At first, many people thought Cde Muchinguri had lost the plot and at first some people dismissed Dr Mugabe as some lightweight politician riding on the popularity of her husband. As she started her “Meet the People Tour” some people only listened to her just for the fun of it but when she fired the first shot during her rally at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura, many stopped to listen. The First Lady ripped apart the Zanu-PF taboo and she did so with the ruthlessness of a fed up but daring politician. She didn’t mention names, but it was obvious what she was talking about and who she was talking about. The media decoded her messages and all arrows were pointing at Vice-President Joice Mujuru. Without mincing her words, she boldly declared that the demon of factionalism originated in Mashonaland Central which is home to the Vice-President. And she didn’t end there — she went on to give a stern warning to the faction leaders that their days were numbers as the Zanu-PF Congress slated for December is fast approaching.
Zimbabwe which all along was used to the politics of covering up the truth and decorating lies was shell shocked. Suddenly, that supposed novice politician had raised the stakes so high that even veteran politicians and academics took a few lessons.
After the bold statements at Chipadze Stadium, the First Lady stunned that whole nation, but she reserved the best for last and what a sucker punch she delivered at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera last Friday. As she started delivering her speech, the First Lady gave a clear indication of what was to come when she jokingly asked Zanu-PF Mashonaland East chairperson Cde Ray Kaukonde to brace for fireworks.
She spoke about issues affecting women in the province, spoke about some of the achievements recorded in terms of implementing projects in the area and then she zoomed in on factionalism. The crowd had been waiting and she didn’t disappoint.
Again without mentioning anyone’s name, the First Lady said the MDC, Mavambo, factionalism and corruption were “born” in the house of this faction leader that she had referred to the previous day.
And if anyone doubted who she was talking about, she then turned to Cde Kaukonde and dressed him down. Right in front of thousands of people, she tore the provincial chairman to pieces and she mixed her frank talk with lighter moments — maybe she felt sorry for Cde Kaukonde who she confessed as someone once close to the First Family.
All Cde Kaukonde could do was smile but that was before that smile was also described as “fake” by the First Lady. By the time the First Lady sat down, factionalism was in tatters with the players scampering for cover.
Chances are that the king makers of factionalism could be regrouping trying to formulate a new strategy but like the First Lady said; their days are numbered because no one can stop December.
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Zanu-PF factionalism: Somebody just had to shame the devil
The Sunday Mail
IT was long time coming and when it came it took so many people by surprise such that up to now, some have not yet recovered while others have recoiled to weigh their options.
Like a bolt from the blue, the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe hit the nail on the head tearing factionalism in Zanu-PF in a manner never seen or heard before. To some this was a refreshing and overdue bold move while to others, this was sheer recklessness on the part of this new entrant into national politics.
Whatever views and from whatever standpoint, the truth of the matter is that somebody just had to gather the guts and shame factionalism in Zanu-PF. This was long overdue because the silence and whispers were fertilising the cancer as it ate the veins that make up Zanu-PF. For many years, many people especially those in Zanu-PF whispered about factionalism in the party and while it was clear to everyone that this cancer was weakening the revolutionary party, no one was bold enough to come out in the open to name and shame those involved in this political evil. It was taboo to talk about factionalism in Zanu-PF and the closest one could get in trying to weed out this cancer was through muted slogans that were vague. This suited the king makers of factionalism who grew to overestimate themselves and thought they were untouchable.
As the whispers continued, secret meetings were held in the middle of the night, plots and sub-plots were hatched, dirty money exchanged hands, those seen to be against the night shenanigans were threatened or beaten into silence. Factionalism seemed out of control and its ragging fires engulfed many corners of the country. Zanu-PF seemed powerless to do anything and slowly some people began to accept this cancer as a permanent Zanu-PF feature. Even the elections disaster in 2008 when Zanu-PF almost got out of power was not enough to jolt the party into extinguishing the ragging fires of factionalism. Then the out-going Zanu-PF Women’s League boss, Cde Oppah Muchinguri came with a master stroke of a decision. She got fed up with the factional fights and did the unthinkable. She decided to reliquish her post and leave it to the First Lady. At first, many people thought Cde Muchinguri had lost the plot and at first some people dismissed Dr Mugabe as some lightweight politician riding on the popularity of her husband. As she started her “Meet the People Tour” some people only listened to her just for the fun of it but when she fired the first shot during her rally at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura, many stopped to listen. The First Lady ripped apart the Zanu-PF taboo and she did so with the ruthlessness of a fed up but daring politician. She didn’t mention names, but it was obvious what she was talking about and who she was talking about. The media decoded her messages and all arrows were pointing at Vice-President Joice Mujuru. Without mincing her words, she boldly declared that the demon of factionalism originated in Mashonaland Central which is home to the Vice-President. And she didn’t end there — she went on to give a stern warning to the faction leaders that their days were numbers as the Zanu-PF Congress slated for December is fast approaching.
Zimbabwe which all along was used to the politics of covering up the truth and decorating lies was shell shocked. Suddenly, that supposed novice politician had raised the stakes so high that even veteran politicians and academics took a few lessons.
After the bold statements at Chipadze Stadium, the First Lady stunned that whole nation, but she reserved the best for last and what a sucker punch she delivered at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera last Friday. As she started delivering her speech, the First Lady gave a clear indication of what was to come when she jokingly asked Zanu-PF Mashonaland East chairperson Cde Ray Kaukonde to brace for fireworks.
She spoke about issues affecting women in the province, spoke about some of the achievements recorded in terms of implementing projects in the area and then she zoomed in on factionalism. The crowd had been waiting and she didn’t disappoint.
Again without mentioning anyone’s name, the First Lady said the MDC, Mavambo, factionalism and corruption were “born” in the house of this faction leader that she had referred to the previous day.
And if anyone doubted who she was talking about, she then turned to Cde Kaukonde and dressed him down. Right in front of thousands of people, she tore the provincial chairman to pieces and she mixed her frank talk with lighter moments — maybe she felt sorry for Cde Kaukonde who she confessed as someone once close to the First Family.
All Cde Kaukonde could do was smile but that was before that smile was also described as “fake” by the First Lady. By the time the First Lady sat down, factionalism was in tatters with the players scampering for cover.
Chances are that the king makers of factionalism could be regrouping trying to formulate a new strategy but like the First Lady said; their days are numbered because no one can stop December.
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