Former Finance Minister and now People’s Democratic Party leader Tendai Biti said the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was preoccupied with succession to President Robert Mugabe and until this was resolved, it would be difficult for ZANU-PF to act like a mature party and engage rationally in the political process.
He said this seven years ago but nothing seems to have changed. In fact, the situation seems to be even worse as factional fighting continues this time roping in Mugabe’s wife Grace.
Biti said that he had asked Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa when the “old man” would leave and Mnangagwa had responded that Mugabe would leave at the end of 2009
The party held its congress in December 2009 but instead of letting Mugabe retire it re-elected him for another five years and once again endorsed him at its 2014 congress to serve until 2019.
Mugabe has been at the helm of the party since 1977.
Mugabe was also endorsed the party candidate for the next presidential elections to be held in 2018. If he wins, his term will expire in 2023 when he will be 99 years old.
Biti said he told Mnangagwa that “we’ve heard this before,” and it would be imprudent to give this too much credence, which is what exactly happened.
There have been several calls by the opposition and civil activists for Mugabe to step down to save the country but his party insists he will serve his mandate although at 92, age is telling on him.
Below are the Wikileaks cables that mention Mnangagwa’s name.
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