Power struggle shakes Zanu PF youth league

A erce ght for the control of the Zanu PF youth league pitting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies, secretary for youth a airs Tinotenda Machakaire and his deputy John Paradza has erupted.

Paradza was elected as the deputy secretary for youth a airs at the Zanu PF congress last year.

He is a former Masvingo provincial youth chairperson. His nemesis, Machakaire, was appointed by Mnangagwa to the politburo as the secretary for youth a airs.

Zanu PF insiders said Paradza and Machakaire were ghting to control the youth league.

The youth league has played a key role for Zanu PF ahead of elections; leading campaigns, some violent resulting in the death of opposition supporters.

Paradza yesterday downplayed the rift with Machakaire claiming the matter was gossip.

“I think whoever has the story knows nothing about what is happening in the party, after all we are friends with comrade Machakaire,” Paradza said when contacted for comment.

“He is my boss. We have been top friends even in Parliament.

“In politics there are people who survive on gossiping and making money out of nothing, but they will never divide us.

“We are busy campaigning for our president and we are going to launch our mobilisation programmes very soon.” Machakaire was not reachable for comment. Emmanuel Mahachi, who is reportedly in Paradza’s camp, was also singing from the same hymn book when contacted for a comment yesterday.

“We work together as the youth league,” Mahachi said. “Remember Machakaire is an appointee of the president, and if any youth member ghts him, he will be ghting our president.”

Zanu PF youth league is expected to play a critical role in Mnangagwa’s re-election bid in elections due in a few months.

In 2021, government announced plans to resuscitate the infamous National Youth Service (NYS) ahead of this year’s elections.

The announcement caused jitters as the NYS graduates are alleged to have unleashed terror on civilians and opposition supporters.

The youth service was established in 2001 and was closed after six years due to chronic funding shortages.

Years later, former Youth minister and nephew of the late president Robert Mugabe, Patrick Zhuwao resurrected the programme before eeing into exile a few months later during the coup that catapulted Mnangagwa into power.