Mujuru says there are no short-cuts to ZANU-PF leadership

Vice President Joice Mujuru says there are no short-cuts to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leadership. The party, which is preparing for its elective congress this year, is not for novices. It should be led by people who know its history and its ideology. “Party haitungamirirwi nevanhu vasingazivi kwayakabva. Inotungamirirwa nevanoziva zvitevedzwa, zviyerwa zvemusangano iwoyo.” Her comments seemed to be directed at Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa who is reported to be one of the leading contenders for the top post or Information Minister Jonathan Moyo who has been giving her headaches by exposing her lieutenants. On paper, Mujuru is the logical successor of President Robert because she is the only deputy to Mugabe at the moment. The post of second vice-President has not been filled since the death of John Nkomo in January last year. Behind her is Simon Khaya Moyo, the national chairman, and then Didymus Mutasa the secretary for administration. Mnangagwa has repeatedly said that he is not in contention because he is “number 12” in the party hierarchy but his name keeps popping up when people talk about succession. The other names that have been mentioned are those of Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, former Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and once in a while Information Minister Jonathan Moyo. Already some people are proposing that Mugabe stay on. Mugabe is 90 and has been in power for 34 years first as Prime Minister and then as president.

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