Makoni denies reports linking him to new party

By Lance Guma
25 January 2008

After weeks of mounting speculation on the formation of a Zanu PF breakaway party led by Simba Makoni, the former finance minister has now made attempts to distance himself from the alleged plot. Reports say Makoni addressed a Zanu PF Manicaland Provincial coordinating committee meeting and effectively endorsed Mugabe’s candidacy. Those who attended the meeting say they were in shock over some of Makoni’s hard line views. He is alleged to have said Zanu PF should not be giving concessions to the MDC at the SADC mediated talks. A Zimbabwe Guardian report says Makoni further went on to suggest Zanu PF candidates should benefit from the controversial delimitation of electoral boundaries since they belonged to the ruling party.

Reports suggest that Makoni met Mugabe at state house on Monday and assured the Zanu PF leader he had no interest in forming a political party. Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba confirmed the meeting took place, but gave no details. At the centre of Makoni’s problems with Zanu PF are reports that State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa is blocking him from contesting a parliamentary seat in his home area. There are also suggestions that the matter has been resolved, with Mugabe assuring Makoni he will be allowed to run for the seat. Makoni meanwhile is refusing to disclose the details of the meeting with Mugabe, but some of his colleagues in the party have branded him a coward. They say they had put faith in him to lead Zanu PF dissidents dissatisfied with Mugabe, but all he could do was pursue a parliamentary seat for himself.

The endorsement of Mugabe as Zanu PF candidate for the coming elections was secured in controversial circumstances last year. Party members were never given the chance to freely choose a successor with Mugabe deploying thousands of war veterans to march in his support and intimidate any would-be challengers. The tense mood within the party has seen political manoeuvring allegedly sponsored by retired army general Solomon Mujuru. The General, whose wife is Vice President Joyce Mujuru is thought to have been banking on Makoni to lead a new party that would seek to topple Mugabe.