Makoni resigns from Zanu PF?

By Lance Guma
21 January 2008

Former finance minister Simba Makoni is thought to have resigned his position within the ruling Zanu PF party. The former head of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a member of the influential Politburo in the party. Press reports, which are mostly speculative, suggest his resignation is a pre-curser to the formation of a new political party. The theory is that this new party will draw support from disgruntled Zanu PF members who are eager to see Mugabe step down.

Former army general Solomon Mujuru is said to be backing the new party with suggestions that several Zanu PF provincial structures are also rooting for Makoni. Other reports suggest Makoni is unhappy at being barred from contesting for a parliamentary seat in his home area of Manicaland and offered to resign in protest. Mugabe is said to have refused to accept the resignation, pledging to discuss Makoni’s grievances at a politburo meeting on Wednesday.

Makoni has refused to speak to the media so far, sparking allegations he is trying to ‘make wine from the political grapevine’ and test his popularity before making any final decisions. The private media has been awash with speculation over his next move. For ordinary citizens the debates have been mixed. Some hold the view that he is a Zanu PF decoy being used to split the opposition vote in the coming elections, while others say he could help dilute Mugabe’s stranglehold within Zanu PF by taking key allies with him into any new party.