So the battle begins

It was Nomination Day on Friday - and signs of the Zanu-PF split were there for all to see

Speculation about just who is supporting who in the forthcoming battle between Mugabe and Makoni has been erratic to say the least - and I include my own prophecies in that. But on Friday, when the Nomination Court opened, we could at last identify some of those Zanu-PD figures brave enough to defy the President and his clique.

The moment of truth arrived when it came time for parliamentary candidates to file their nomination papers. Chaos reigned, as several top Zanu-PF politicians defied instructions to stand aside in favour of the alleged "winners" of the party's primary elections.

Instead they went ahead and filed their own papers, the result of which will be that in places two Zanu-PF names will stand for the same seat. Ask Robert Mugabe what he thinks of that, and you are likely to get an uncivil reply.

Today it's my pleasure to record the names of some of those brave enough to put their heads above the parapet.

Let us salute Finance Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi, Senator Dzikamai Mavhaire, Eddison Zvobgo Jnr., and acting chief executive of the Zimbabwe Football Association, Henrietta Rushwaya.

Mumbengegwi registered as a Zanu-PF candidate for the Chivi/Mwenezi House of Senate seat, which means he will clash with the Mugabe nominee, former Masvingo governor Josiah Hungwe.

Mavhaire - distinguished in being the first party member, 11 years ago, to call on Mugabe to retire - will go head to head with another Mugabe appointee, Maina Mandava.

Zvobgo also defied the party directive, and will stand against businessman and Mugabe appointee Edmund Mhere. And Henrietta Rushwaya has a truly heavyweight contest on her hands, as she stands against the mighty madam Shuvai Mahofa for the Gutu South constituency.

All this has maddened the Mugabe camp, as National Commissar Elliot Manyika's tones revealed. "One cannot flout party procedure and expect to get away with it," he told me. "I assure you there will be retribution this week, no matter how senior a party member."

Mreanwhile Simba Makoni played it cool, refusing to claim that these rebels were necessarily joining his campaign. "If they want to join us they can," is all he would say.

Predictions are, many of them will.

Comments

[chris]

i salute the real brave sons of Zimbabwe,Mbengegwi,Mavhaire,Zvogbo etc
I was at school way back when Mavhaire made that famous statement in parliament " Mugabe Must Go'
Most Zimbabweans said he has gone made, he got fired
but he was right
wish you the best Makoni and co

[david matsveru]

People should move away from supporting party but people. We want people who will perform not kuti chero riri dhongi as long as iri ZANU or MDC. We want people who deliver goods.

[McPaul]

There is nothing left to fight for n Zimbabwe, it is just a battle among hyenas fighting over old remaining bones.

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