Mugabe warns party members against canvassing for posts

HARARE

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday warned party members against canvassing for positions as infighting over succession intensified in his ruling Zanu-PF party.

He said instead of canvassing, principled leaders are chosen by the people on the basis of their character and hard work.

Speaking during his 93rd birthday celebrations organised by workers in his office, Mr Mugabe described as “nonsense” the existence of factions in his ruling Zanu-PF party that are angling to succeed him, state-run news agency New Ziana reported.

According to the report, Mr Mugabe narrated to guests how he rose to political power from the days he was the publicity secretary for the National Democratic Party in the 1960s.

‘‘The leadership did not come out of people who had raised their hands and said we are candidates for this or that post, no. The congress in its own wisdom just looked at those who were in the front line and said we want so and so and those were in the interim body and that was it. They gave you that post you could not say no,” he said.

‘‘Let the people just judge you from how they have seen you work, that is the correct attitude. We did not have the nonsense that we have, talk about G40s and Lacoste,” he was quoted as saying. G40, short for Generation 40, a group of young officials in Zanu-PF, and Lacoste reportedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa are the two factions reportedly vying to succeed the veteran president.

NOT READY TO STEP DOWN

The president recently said he was not ready to step down and would not groom a successor as it was the responsibility of the people.

He has been confirmed as Zanu-PF presidential candidate for the 2018 elections when he will be 94.

He said those in leadership positions should always strive to be honest and committed to the cause of the people.

Moreover, the president reiterated the need for the country to be in full control of its natural resources to be able to shape its development path, stressing that investors were welcome for partnerships.

Vice President Mnangagwa and chief secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda lauded President Mugabe for his visionary leadership and pledged to work hard to ensure the realization of his vision. ‘‘We pray that we will continue to drink from your fountain of wisdom and be guided by your tried and tested counsel,” the VP said.