Instability in Zanu-PF

THE military does not readily interfere in civilian political affairs. Yet this week they had to break with this long tradition, in their word, because of “instability in Zanu-PF” which was causing a lot of anxiety in the population.

For a long time President Mugabe has warned party supporters against engaging in petty squabbles and pursuing personal vendettas at the expense of service to the people. He has spoken strongly against corruption. He has also made several appeals against factionalism in the revolutionary party, and how this scourge can easily weaken the party. All this has gone unheeded, which could explain in part why there has been little action in the implementation of the revolutionary party’s Zim-Asset programme even as the economic blueprint enters its final phase.

If for nothing else, if the intervention by the military in the affairs of Zanu-PF can in a small way remind party officials of the president’s exhortations and get them to refocus their attention on those who voted for them, that action would have done a lot for the ruling party.

There is a huge dividend in the end in the form of an assured electoral victory next year and also rekindling the revolutionary spirit which has made Zanu-PF a household name in Zimbabwe and beyond. It has become a living brand, which unfortunately was being soiled by those who should be helping the president in the execution of his duties.

We hope those in charge of the affairs of the state will put their heads together and return the nation to normalcy as soon as possible.