The Chimanimani by-election being held today is another crucial test for President Robert Mugabe rather than for his ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front as whispers say some of his lieutenants are throwing the election away to prove that the party will lose the 2018 elections if Mugabe remains at the helm.
Mugabe has already been endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2018 elections when he will be 94. If he wins and completes his term he will be 99. Under the new constitution, however, Mugabe will not be allowed to contest any election after that even if his party wants him to.
Mugabe’s advanced age and poor health are said to be part of the causes of the current economic crisis Zimbabwe is facing because his lieutenants are said to be spending more time squabbling over who will succeed him.
Whispers say a faction led by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is trying to prove to Mugabe that the party will be kicked out of power if Mugabe hangs on.
This was one of the reasons why it lost the Norton seat to independent Temba Mliswa contrary to the view by Mugabe himself that the party lost because it had fielded a thief. Some reports said the candidate, Ronald Chindedza was imposed by national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere who belongs to the G40 faction fighting to stop Mnangagwa from taking over.
Whispers say this could be the same scenario in Chimanimani and Bikita West where the by-election will be held on 21 January.
In Chimanimani Zanu-PF candidate Nokuthula Matsikenyere is battling it out with Peter Gudyanga of the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, independent candidate Edmore Mtetwa and Pesanai Musakaruka of the National Constitutional Assembly.
Six candidates will be contesting the Bikita West seat.
Mugabe lost the 2008 elections to Morgan Tsvangirai after some of his lieutenants organised what was later labelled “bhora musango”, a scheme under which voters were asked to elect a ZANU-PF legislator but not vote for Mugabe.
Tsvangirai, however, did not win enough votes for an outright victory forcing a run-off.
Tsvangirai and his party have, however, disputed this as the results for the elections were only released six weeks later.
Mugabe had already made indications to Tsvangirai, two days after the elections, that he had lost and wanted to handover to Tsvangirai if he accommodated him.
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