February 12-19, 2015

Factionalism re-emerges in Zanu PF

Independent media

Zimbabwe Independent, February 13, 2015

“Divisions rock govt [sic] as cabinet reshuffle looms” by Anonymous

• While some government officials feel that a cabinet reshuffle would give the circus-like appearance to the Zimbabwean Government, party Members loyal to VP Mnangagwa are pushing for change.
  
• Several ministers linked to former Vice President Joice Mujuru seem unsettled about a possible reshuffle. Mujuru loyalists include education minister Lazarus Dokora and sports minister Andrew Langa.
  
• The proposed reshuffle will ostensibly be in Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s favour, allowing him to further consolidate power. Some have allegedly advised Mugabe that another reshuffle would make him appear confused to the public and to the international community.
  
• There are also reports that Grace Mugabe is to move to a powerful position within the Politburo.

Zimbabwe Independent, February 13, 2015

“Zanu PF purges spread” by Elias Mambo

• Secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, wants to carry out an audit aimed at flushing out remaining former Vice President Mujuru loyalists.
  
• Sources said that Chombo presented a report to the Politburo and he plans to restructure various organs of the Zanu PF.
  
• Long-serving members such as director of [Zanu PF] administration Dickson Dzora, who is close to Zanu PF antagonist Didymus Mutatsa, may see their posts cut out of the party structure

NewsDay, February 13, 2015

“Parliament purges Mujuru loyalists” by Veneranda Langa

• Allies of former Vice President Joice Mujuru, Ray Kaukonde and Enock Porusingazi, were stripped of their chairmanship of Parliamentary Portfolio Committees and reduced to ordinary members.
  
• Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly claimed that the move was a normal reshuffle. Some Mujuru allies did survive the reshuffle.
  
• Zanu PF spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo told journalists that the restructuring was the ‘brainchild of secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo.’

State-owned media

The Herald, February 19, 2015

“Zanu PF expels Mutasa, Mliswa” by Farirai Machvenyika

• The Zanu PF Politburo has expelled former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa. In addition, Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa was expelled. Both were expelled on the grounds of undermining party leadership, among other charges.
  
• The expulsions follow the decision by a committee chaired by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko. The committee had been charged with conducting an investigation into Mutasa.
  
• Mutasa was ‘part of the putschist cabal led by former Vice President Joice Mujuru,’ accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, February 13, 2015

“Clan disowns Mitasa” by Anonymous

• The Makoni traditional leadership has disowned former Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa. The clan says that he does not belong to the Makoni chieftainship family tree.
  
• Chief Makoni said that Mutasa does not belong to the family tree ‘as he is a nephew who unfortunately has been abusing his political powers to interfere in the selection processes of the leadership.’
  
• The chief noted that Mutasa is of Mozambican origin.

Press freedom in Zimbabwe

Independent Media

Daily News, February 13, 2015

“Zim ranked 131 in press freedom” by Bridget Mananavire

• According to Reporters without Borders (RSF), Zimbabwe’s press freedom has improved slightly. Zimbabwe went four places in a positive direction.
• Zimbabwe is ranked 131 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index. Also noted was that no journalist or net-citizen was killed in Zimbabwe in 2014. Zimbabwean journalists still face a high degree of violence and harassment.
  
• Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea were in last place. According to RSF, there was a worldwide deterioration in press freedom.
  

*State-controlled media did not report on this subject.

Zimbabwe’s ‘Photogate’

Independent Media

Daily News, February 12, 2015

“Row over leaked Mugabe pictures” by Thelma Chikwanha

• Senior Zanu PF officials are allegedly in an uproar over ‘leaked’ photos of Mugabe’s fall at Harare International Airport last week. Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) had forced reporters to delete photos of the incident but several photos went viral on the internet.
  
• There is an inquest into the ‘leak.’ Zanu PF youths have been harassing vendors in Marondera (72km east of Harare), checking their phones for pictures of the fall.
  
• It appears that a photographer of privilege may have uploaded the photos of the fall to the web as ‘even video photographers from organizations such as SABC and AP were forced to delete their images…’
  
• In reaction to the fall and response to it, it is alleged that Grace Mugabe demanded the ‘heads’ of those responsible from her Singapore hospital bed.
  
• The CIO is now conducting a review of the incident to establish better security practices in the future.

*State-controlled media did not report on this subject

The return of Grace Mugabe

Independent Media

NewsDay, February 17, 2015

“Grace sends Zanu PF into panic” by Moses Matenga

• Some Zanu PF officials are fearing for their jobs as Grace Mugabe returns from a twomonth-long holiday. A major party reshuffle is expected upon her return. Grace also ostensibly received medical attention while on holiday.
• Grace is also on a committee looking into the discipline of former Presidential Affairs Minister, Didymus Mutasa. Grace Mugabe, the First Lady is seen to wield an incredible amount of political power.
  
• Political analysts speculate that Grace’s return could be the beginning of the end of the political careers of scores of former Vice President Mujuru’s supporters. The MDC-T has criticised Grace for seeking surgery abroad and spending a lavish vacation on taxpayer dollars.
  

NewsDay, February 19, 2015

“Grace joins presidium” by Moses Matenga

• Zanu PF secretary for Women’s Affairs and First Lady, Grace Mugabe has taken a place in the Politburo. Grace sat next to her husband Robert Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangwa at her first Politburo meeting.
  
• The seating arrangement has led to some speculation that Grace Mugabe may be being groomed for leadership of Zimbabwe.
  
• Grace Mugabe took her place in the politburo after she had served on a committee that expelled former secretary for presidential affairs, Didymus Mutasa.

State-controlled Media

The Herald, February 19, 2015

“First Lady in maiden Politburo meeting” by Felex Share

• Grace Mugabe has attended her first Politburo meeting since being appointed Secretary for Women’s Affairs in December, 2014.
  
• Grace took her seat beside the president during the meeting.
  
• Grace had unanimous support from all factions of the Zanu PF to take the position of Secretary of Women’s Affairs. During her Meet the People tour, she destroyed centres of power created by former Vice President Mujuru and her cabal.