Debating about the succession plans of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe equals mischief, especially after the head of state asserted he will continue ruling the country and the revolutionary party as directed by the electorate, Zanu-PF has said.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo told State controlled media that all members and organizations fueling the debate were "mischief makers".
The ban comes after President Mugabe’s wife suggested that her husband must stay in office until death.
The matter has been stoked by some Veterans of Zimbabwe’s 1980s liberation war in Zanu-PF, who have been suggesting that Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the ideal candidate to succeed President Mugabe.
On the other hand, another group supports First Lady Grace Mugabe to take up the leadership position, a thing that is causing the bitter factional war.
“Zanu-PF is fully aware of some mischief makers on the succession issue,” Mr Moyo was quoted saying.
“Unless some people suffer from malignant myopia, the position of the party on this misguided matter rests with the pronouncement of the president and first secretary of the party Cde Robert Mugabe at the one-million-man march held on May 25, 2016, in Harare.
“The hundreds of thousands of people who attended the spectacular event organized by the youth league got the message from the president loud and clear,” he said. “The party is therefore alarmed by the uncalled for debate from some misguided quarters on a matter closed and sealed.”
Two weeks ago, Zanu-PF youths organized a huge solidarity march in support of Mr Mugabe
Fighting imperialism?
Speaking to the marchers, President Mugabe said he would remain in power as long as he could, presumably to thwart Western imperialism.
President Mugabe, 92, has been in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. While constitutionally, Mugabe can and might vie for the presidential seat in 2018, the First Lady said he would rule from the grave.
In her view, Zimbabwe has no better leader.
This is not the first time Mrs Mugabe has come to her husband’s defense. In the past, she said she would get him a wheelchair or wheelbarrow if it came to that.
African leaders tend to blame Western countries for their misfortunes, while they have played a key role in digging deep the continent into economic and political chaos.
Take for example the African leaders who preach about democracy, yet they are the first ones to use back doors to change constitutions to extend their stay in leadership against their electorates.
When it comes to corruption, the same leaders are at the forefront selling out Africa to foreigners, and keeping much of their investments in safe havens.
Thus, when Mugabe states that he wants to remain in power to fight imperialism, is ironic, as he, himself is a tyrant ruler who does not care about opposing voices in his country.
In response to those calling for his retirement, Mr Mugabe said: "So tell them that Mugabe said no, you go hang yourselves.” He was speaking at the 'one-million-man march' event.
But some Zimbabweans are gaining confidence and holding mass demonstrations against the government. One such person is a Harare cleric who has been rallying people on social media to demand their rights while criticizing the leadership in the country.
Meanwhile, some local Zimbabwean leaders are fighting over a ‘missing’ portrait. The portrait belonging to President Mugabe went missing, and since the meeting councilors could not agree on the subject matter, the council meeting ended prematurely.
Image credit: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters