Saviour Kasukuwere was one of the young barons that entered into Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politics when he was elected to parliament in 2000. He was only 30.
A strong admirer of former Youth Development Minister Border Gezi who also came from Mashonaland Central, Kasukuwere has almost filled Gezi’s shoes first as Youth Minister and now as the party’s national commissar.
Kasukuwere is reported to be the brains behind G40 though he seems to be putting First Lady Grace Mugabe at the forefront, but observers say he is just buying time before he gets rid of her and takes over.
The First Lady may have read the signs and seems to be distancing herself from him, more so when he seems to have upset President Robert Mugabe by allegedly working with Pastor Walter Magaya to take away some of the stands meant for party youths.
This should not be surprising because Kasukuwere was intent on getting rid of Mugabe barely months after being elected to Parliament. At least that is what he told United States embassy officials way back in December 2000.
Kasukuwere told embassy officials that Mugabe and his cronies must be phased out in order for ZANU-PF to survive.
He said the first step was to get Mugabe’s two aged Vice-Presidents Simon Muzenda and Joseph Msika to step down. This would allow younger men such as Simba Makoni or Sydney Sekeramayi to move up into a position to become the party’s candidate for president.
When asked about Makoni’s power base, Kasukuwere said that Makoni had enough connections with business and an understanding of politics to make him the next president.
He suggested that Emmerson Mnangagwa and Dumiso Dabengwa could become vice-presidents and eventually president.
Kasukuwere said everyone in ZANU-PF could “read the signs” that change was coming including the old guard. The party could not afford to postpone reform any longer, but, nonetheless, it had to be carried out in a managed way.
Below are the cables that mention Kasukuwere’s name:
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