Zanu-PF’s recently released 2024 central committee report reveals deep-seated anxieties surrounding the August Sadc Summit in Harare, alleging a plot by opposition forces, spearheaded by Nelson Chamisa, to engineer mass protests and challenge the legitimacy of the 2023 general elections. These allegations come despite Chamisa’s self-imposed political sabbatical following his party’s internal upheaval.
The report details a perceived threat from Chamisa, who stepped aside as CCC leader in January after a power struggle with self-proclaimed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. Tshabangu’s actions, which included recalling numerous councillors and MPs, triggered by-elections and further destabilised the opposition landscape. Despite his political hiatus, Zanu-PF claims Chamisa was plotting demonstrations to disrupt the Sadc Summit, aiming to force a discussion on the disputed election results.
Chamisa has consistently rejected the election outcome, accusing Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF of rigging the polls. This sentiment is echoed in the central committee report.
“The usual detractors from the opposition parties supported by rogue nongovernmental organisations continued with their false narrative that the conduct of the harmonised general elections was not transparent and that, therefore, the outcome of the elections was not fair and acceptable and should be referred to Sadc for resolution,” the report reads.
“Additionally, the detractors again alleged that the economic situation was deteriorating and would worsen if the alleged political impasse was not resolved through a rerun of the Zimbabwe harmonised general elections.”
The report further alleges that following his resignation, Chamisa actively sought to mobilise demonstrations before and during the Sadc summit to pressure the regional body into addressing the election controversy.
The government’s response to these perceived threats included a crackdown on opposition supporters and activists in the lead-up to the summit, effectively silencing dissent and limiting freedom of expression. Dozens were arrested, reflecting a heightened state of security. This pre-emptive action underscores Zanu-PF’s concerns about the potential for widespread unrest.
Adding fuel to the fire, a Sadc election observer mission deemed the Zimbabwean elections not credible, failing to meet regional standards for free and fair elections. Zanu-PF dismissed this report, accusing the mission head, Nevers Mumba, of bias and alleging an alliance with Chamisa. The report alleges that Chamisa was simultaneously attempting to rebuild his political base, even exploring the creation of a new party, the “Blue Movement.”
The report also highlights alleged attempts by opposition activists to influence the summit’s location, seeking to move it outside of Harare.
“In a futile exercise, the opposition activists mobilised other negative forces within the region to ensure that the summit venue be shifted from Harare to another country. Their misdirected efforts were buttressed by vitriolic social media campaigns from various regional activists who even threatened to conduct a complete shutdown during the Sadc period,” the report details.
The CCC, however, vehemently denies any involvement in plots to disrupt the summit. CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi countered Zanu-PF’s claims, stating: “No one ever planned to disrupt the Sadc summit in Zimbabwe suffice to state that the summit was already strained by damning election observer mission reports and the regime in Harare was afraid of its own shadows, knowing that they had stolen elections from the people,” Mkwananzi said in an interview.
He attributes Zanu-PF’s actions to a fear of the people, stemming from their alleged electoral fraud.
The Zanu-PF report also expresses concern about the opposition’s growing influence in rural areas, traditionally considered Zanu-PF strongholds.
“To this end, the civic society organisations working with the opposition targeted Zanu PF rural strongholds where they undertake divisive and partisan programs under the guise of humanitarian and advocacy activities. During the process, they will make efforts to diminish the Zanu PF support base,” the report states.
