December 24 - 31, 2014

New VP Mnangagwa facing criticism from within Zanu PF

Independent Media

Daily News, December 29, 2014

“Mnangagwa under siege”, by Lloyd Mbiba

• The Daily News claims that a mere three weeks into his vice presidency, Emmerson Mnangagwa is facing renewed factionalism and adversity from within ‘his’ faction; this is the group that was opposed to vice president Joice Mujuru while she still held on to power.
  
• Members of his faction feel that Mnangagwa has forgotten them as he has taken over one of the leading political roles in the country.
  
• A so-called “gang of four” is allegedly working to undermine the rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa. The group consists of senior Zanu PF officials Oppah Muchinguri, Jonathan Moyo, Patrick Zhuwao and Saviour Kasukuwere.
  
• Managagwa has also received negative press from the Sunday Mail, a known Zanu PF mouthpiece.
  

State-owned Media

The Sunday Mail, December 28, 2014

“The Kwekwe farm courtesy call that stinks”, by Bishop Lazarus

• Author’s note: The author of this article writes under the alias of ‘Bishop Lazarus’ and claims to be a bishop. The Daily News has pointed out the obvious and stated that the author is an unknown senior party member. Previous blogs in the Sunday Mail by this author offer slander and allegations which are largely illegitimate. His writings act as propaganda. Further examples of his provocative writings are available at: http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/?cat=419.
  
• Vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa invited several members of the Zimbabwean business community to his farm outside of the town of Kwekwe. At the meeting, he reportedly told the attendees that 2015 would see a relaxation in indigenization laws which could encourage foreign direct investment (FDI).
  
• The holding of the meeting at Mnangagwa’s farm is seen as an action worthy of arousing suspicion. The author goes on to compare Mnangagwa’s actions as similar to the posthumously disgraced Solomon Mujuru, the husband of ex-vice president Joice Mujuru.
• The author goes on to point out that the recent Zanu PF party congress passed resolutions to strengthen indigenization laws; this is absolutely contrary to what Mnangagwa allegedly told the gathering at his farm.
  
• The author concludes that relenting on indigenization, a form of protectionism, will in fact not increase FDI, contrary to the conclusions of “armchair economic analysts”.

Mujuru saga continues in state-owned media

State-owned Media

The Herald, December 30, 2014 “Mujuru probe: Cops get vital data”

• “Sources” revealed that police had advanced in retrieving information relating to corruption allegations against former vice president Joice Mujuru.
  
• The “source” also said that companies were being searched and that the former vice president would eventually be interviewed. • Police in Harare have set up a team of senior detectives to work on the case. They are investigating firms linked to Mujuru and her other assets.
  

The Sunday Mail, December 28, 2014

“Mutasa’s world crumbles”

• Former Zanu PF national secretary for information, Didymus Mutasa, an ally of ousted VP Mujuru, is facing a constituency which is now calling for his resignation. Mutasa has recently sent a letter to Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders admonishing the political climate in Zimbabwe.
  
• Mutasa is accused of plotting to assassinate Robert Mugabe and bribing white farmers. He is also accused of using his influence to give out farms in his constituency to family members.
  
• There are now motions in progress to begin the process of removing Mutasa from his post as MP.
  
• The Sunday Mail goes on to accuse Mutasa of collaborating with the MDC-T and a Western based NGO in order to get back to his position in the politburo.
  

*Independent media neglected to elaborate on these stories.

MDC sees a light

Independent Media

Daily News, December 30, 2014

“MDC salivates as Zanu PF implodes”, by Fungi Kwaramba

• As Zanu PF infighting continues, the possibility of up to 100 seats in parliament becoming vacant has excited the MDC-T.
  
• There are up to 100 individuals currently remaining in parliament who can be considered loyal to ousted vice President Joice Mujuru and so the potential exists for many seats to be vacated in the near future which will in turn necessitate by-elections.
• It is expected that several MPs may lose their jobs when Mugabe returns from a trip to Asia in mid-January.
  
• MDC spokesperson, Obert Gutu expressed the MDC’s desire to participate in any byelection which may take place. The MDC wishes to make up for ground it lost during the 2013 election.
  
• Gutu stated that the MDC was already strategizing to better position itself for a chance at taking over from a ‘disintegrating’ Zanu PF.
  

News Day, December 30, 2014

“Fresh poll looms as Zanu PF, MDC-T push to recall MPs”

• The MDC-T has begun to rally its supporters to brace for the dissolution of parliament and the possibility of a general election within the next few months.
  
• MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu publicly stated that general elections were now inevitable.
  
• Gutu also said that the MDC-T would only participate in elections if electoral reforms were undertaken in Zimbabwe. The election call may be a result of a Zanu PF plan to thwart MDC-T intentions to impeach President Mugabe with the help of the Mujuru faction which may number up to 100 in parliament.
  
• However, both the MDC-T and the Zanu PF have experienced infighting since their respective party congresses. Morgan Tsvangirai has been accused of party dictatorship and he has lost some MPs to the MDC Renewal faction.
  
• An individual linked to the Zanu PF has stated that the Zanu PF leadership is unlikely to bring general elections upon itself and that undesirable MPs will be fired over time resulting in chronologically spaced by-elections.
  

*State-owned media neglected to cover these stories in depth.