Zanu PF parliamentary candidates in Harare are ignoring President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s election campaign events, according to an internal party document.
Zanu PF Harare chairman Goodwills Masimirembwa complained that most National Assembly candidates were not attending the president’s programmes despite being given party vehicles.
Masimirembwa said in a circular on July 13 that candidates will now have to sign an attendance register to prove they are joining Mnangagwa’s activities.
Sources claim the candidates have never fully embraced Mnangagwa’s campaign. One source said the MPs are just busy campaigning in their constituencies instead of attending public events with the president.
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya told The Standard that Masimirembwa’s complaint shows “something is wrong in the party”. But Zanu PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa claimed the chairman was “assisting with proper priorities”.
The report adds that Zanu PF recently bought each of its 210 parliamentary candidates a top-of-the-range car for campaigning. But many seem to be snubbing Mnangagwa’s rallies.
The development raises questions about unity in Zanu PF ahead of the crucial August elections where Mnangagwa faces a tough challenge from people’s favourite opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s CCC.
