First Lady Grace Mugabe has told Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front officials to stop fighting for succession because when time for change comes, God will show them.
The battle for succession in ZANU-PF has been raging since the party won the 2013 elections with presidential hopeful Joice Mujuru, who was President Robert Mugabe’s deputy, being expelled from the party last year after being accused of trying to topple the 91-year old leader.
Grace herself is touted as one of the presidential hopefuls though she has denied any presidential ambitions.
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, now the leading contender for succession, is reportedly being challenged by the young Turks.
“It seems factionalism is about to rear its head again but we say down with such thinking,” Grace said in Binga yesterday.
“Let us be patient and when the time for change comes, God will show us. Patience is a virtue and must prevail in all of us. Some of you are not sleeping and are busy scheming about taking over, but don’t worry yourself, if you’re on God’s list you will get there,” she was quoted by The Chronicle as saying.
“I want us to forget the word factionalism. All the time we will be doing factionalism, we forget our mandate. We come to the people and ask for their vote and make promises for the next five years and if we spend all the time on factionalism when will we work for the people? We’ve got regulations in the party which we follow, but if you take your own route for self gratification, the party will discard you. Factionalism was the reason why she (Mujuru) was fired. Those who are incompetent and want to cause chaos have no place in the party.”
Mugabe’s term of office ends in 2018 but he is eligible to contest the next elections. He will be 94.
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