Tension? What tension?

BY ANESU MASAMVU

ZANU PF has dismissed claims of deepening divisions between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, ahead of the ruling party’s crucial conference in Mutare next week saying all being said and claimed remain “false imaginings” and “a storm in a teacup.”

Zanu PF Director of Information, Farai Marapira, told Business Times that expectations of a bloody conference were “wild imaginations” adding the conference will focus on productive matters.

“Whoever is behind the spread of these falsehoods does not know the inner workings of the party,” Marapira said.

“The President is in charge, very solidly supported by his vice presidents right down to the cells.”

He described those claiming divisions and deeprooted factionalism as creative.

“We could have a very successful movie sector in Zimbabwe if you look at how creative some of these people get with their stories,” he said.

“Zanu PF is a structured party. We have channels of communication — there is no room for factions or divisions. This is just miraculous smoke without fire.”

The Mutare conference, running from October 13 to 18, comes amid speculation that Zanu PF may revisit last year’s Resolution No. 1, which called for the extension of Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond 2028.

Asked whether that resolution would be expedited, Marapira said the party would simply review progress on all past decisions.

“You can expect the party to be looking at all resolutions and checking how far they have been implemented,” he said. “Resolutions, once passed, are meant to be completed.”

While political talk swirls, Marapira said the focus in Mutare will be squarely on the economy — not politics.

“That is the only talk,” he said. “We were voted in to fix the economy, and that’s what we are going there to do. We are focusing on ensuring that Vision 2030 arrives as early as 2028.”

Government projections point to a 6% GDP growth in 2025, driven by agriculture and mining, after last year’s drought-induced slump to 2%.

Marapira accused detractors of pushing false agendas to sow division.

“Every time we go to conference, there are rumors of war, factions, or people to be fired,” he said. “We are not going to allow ourselves to be wooed by that.”

Pressed on corruption — an issue that has reportedly strained relations and brought tension in the party— Marapira said the party remains firm in its anti-graft stance but warned against unverified claims.

“Any allegation, if unsubstantiated, is innuendos and malice,” he said. “The party is solidly behind the President in fighting corruption. Where corruption is identified and proven, heads must roll.”

Marapira said Zanu PF’s focus going into the Mutare conference is on bread-and-butter issues, not political drama.

“As a party, we work with the contemporary question — that’s about the economy, money in people’s pockets,” he said. “This is what we are fixated on and focused on as a party.”

As the conference countdown begins, Zanu PF’s tone is defiant — denying any cracks at the top, rallying around Mnangagwa, and insisting that Mutare will be about economics, not intrigue.

“Anything else,” Marapira said, “is just a storm in a teacup00