October 08 - 15, 2014
Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe
Posted on October 15, 2014
Contents
Compiled by – MIGS Desk Officer for Zimbabwe – Mike Taylor
1. Factionalism and Grace Mugabe
Independent Media
Zimbabwe Independnt, October 10, 2014
“It’s Grace Mugabe versus Mujuru” by Elias Mambo
- Factionalism within the Zanu PF succession race is increasing as Emmerson Mnangagwa is fielding Grace Mugabe against current Vice-President Joice Mujuru. The Mnangagwa faction is allegedly using Grace as a last resort to topple Mujuru as the Zanu PF party congress approaches in December.
- Grace Mugabe has been attacking Mujuru publicly throughout her campaign tour across Zimbabwe.
- Senior Zanu PF legislators have indicated that Grace is suited for higher positioning within the party because of ‘credentials’.
- The Independent asserts that Mugabe wants his family interests protected and cannot achieve this through Mujuru.
State-owned Media
The Herald, October 11, 2014
“Count me out of factions – Amai” by Cletus Mushanawani
- Grace Mugabe claims that she does not owe any allegiance to any of the factions that have been dominating political news headlines of late. The statement was made in Mutare, Zimbabwe during her ‘Meet the People’ tour.
- She claimed that during the rally, factionalism was on open display. She did not however make a direct reference to how, other than saying that money was at play and that there was an attempt to please factional leaders at the rally.
- She claimed that individuals were paying the media to slander her.
- She said that some of the attendees of the rally were ‘sell-outs’ for being part of the opposition. She also said that it was sad to note that much of the opposition hails from Manicaland Province – the southeasterly Zimbabwean province of which Mutare is the capital.
- The Herald also noted that Grace Mugabe donated a significant amount of food and grain to the elderly of the region, as well as regional leaders.
2. International Crisis Group report outlines dire state of economy
Independent Media
Zimbabwe Independent, October 10, 2014
“Economy bleeds as Zanu PF feud escalates” by Elias Mambo
- The International Crisis Group (ICG) has issued an analysis noting that in order for Zimbabwe to avoid prolonged uncertainty and crisis, the Zanu PF should conclusively decide at its December congress the successor of Robert Mugabe.
- The report also states that the country is insolvent and a failing state. It also concludes that Zimbabwe is facing multiple economic problems spawned by endemic governance failures. These failures are compounded by the ongoing succession crisis. • The report also points out the internal struggles of the MDC-T as problematic.
- The Zanu PF is excessively focused on in-fighting and is ignoring its economic obligations. Formal actual unemployment may reach 92% by December.
- The IMF has recently made a recommendation to cease patronage-politic actions which include donations of luxury goods.
*No state-owned media reported this topic.