Factionalism that has gripped President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party has become so entrenched that some members are now calling for the suspension of the government’s five-year economic blue print – the Zimbabwe Agenda for Social and Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET).
Some party supporters told Studio 7 on Wednesday that a faction allegedly led by Vice President Joice Mujuru is demanding the scrapping of the $27 billion ZIMASSET, which has failed to attract international funding, claiming that it is unworkable.
They claim that the programme, crafted by some Zanu PF members allegedly linked to Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction, could not even attract funding from China. President Mugabe visited that country recently looking for support for the programme.
They believe that Zanu PF needs to completely change its political and economic policies in order to attract foreign direct investment as the economy stutters.
Zanu PF spokesman, Rugare Gumbo, was not reachable for comment. Studio 7 reached Herald editor, Caesar Zvayi, who said the fight over ZIMASSET is now visible in the party as factions wrestle for posts ahead of the December elective congress.
Zanu PF activist Morris Ngwenya said internal Zanu PF conflicts over ZIMASSET and other issues are part of the democratic process in the party.
Both Mujuru and Mnangagwa were not available for comment. They have dismissed reports that they lead Zanu PF factions.