THE ruling Zanu PF Youth League national secretary Tinomuda Machakaire has made a U-turn and called on his structures to stay away from succession talks following a spirited campaign by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies to retain him in office beyond 2028.
A day earlier, Machakaire had made subtle remarks attacking Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga who is reported to be a front runner in the race to succeed Mnangagwa.
Some Zanu PF structures have been holding choreographed provincial meetings to support a campaign for Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
The youth league in the Midlands, Mnangagwa’s backyard, initiated the campaign for Mnangagwa’s unconstitutional continued stay in office.
Mnangagwa recently tried to douse succession fires which have stoked intense factionalism when he announced that he would step down at the end of the constitutionally mandated two terms in 2028.
Addressing a meeting in Goromonzi on Sunday this week, Machakaire tried to calm down succession-induced fights within the party saying the youth league must stay guided on what the Zanu PF leadership says on the matter.
“We are coming out of an election only held last year; we don’t want youths who go on social media to talk about the succession of the President,” Machakaire said
“It is not for our age as the youth to talk about the succession of the President. Let the leadership do that and as for us we are there to support their decisions. If we see you talking about the leadership of the country, you are a lost youth,” he said.
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Machakaire called on the youth league to respect the party leadership.
“We are supposed to respect our leaders, even the youth that are in here let us respect the leadership that is there.
“I might be in the politburo, but my father remains my father. Even if I am a minister I should respect him because he is my elder.
“I know on social media there are people who instigate others to insult the party leadership. We do not insult the leadership on social media, we have ways that we use as youth to respect our leaders,” he said.
Mnangagwa has maintained silence on his successor.
He, however, told supporters that he would be leaving office at the end of his tenure and pass the baton to a leader selected by party supporters.
The late former President Robert Mugabe was also silent on his successor, with his allies insisting that he stays in office despite his advanced age.
Then First Lady Grace even said Mugabe would rule from the grave.
Mugabe was eventually forced out in a 2017 coup.
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa recently told our sister publication The Standard that Zanu PF’s new leader will be chosen in an open contest and not via anointment.
War veterans chairperson Evans Mathibela told The Standard that ex-combatants will block the 2030 bid by Mnangagwa’s allies and supporters saying it is unconstitutional.
