Job Sikhala encourages opposition parties to exploit divisions within Zanu PF as factional struggles intensify. He connects the ruling party’s history of exacerbating opposition splits to current tensions, particularly concerning Mnangagwa’s attempts to remain in power. Revered cleric Kenneth Mtata stresses the implications of these conflicts for national unity. Sikhala aims to incite further discord within Zanu PF, maintaining a longstanding narrative of opposition fragmentation.
In Harare, Job Sikhala, a prominent opposition figure, is urging all opposition forces to capitalize on the internal disputes within the ruling Zanu PF party led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. He claims that the ruling party has historically exploited divisions within the opposition, particularly within the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), leading to the formation of multiple splinter groups.
Following the military-backed coup that ousted President Robert Mugabe in 2017, Zanu PF has experienced significant factional strife. Mnangagwa’s attempts to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional two-term limit have intensified these internal conflicts, with war veterans indicating their intent to block his unpopular move. This raises concerns over national security, reminiscent of the 2018 bombing incident that narrowly missed both Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
Reverend Kenneth Mtata, a noted cleric, has highlighted that the succession challenges within Zanu PF transcend party lines and pose critical implications for national governance and unity. Effective succession policies are crucial as they affect leadership quality and civil-military relations in Zimbabwe.
Amidst this chaos, Sikhala, one of the most militant opposition leaders since the formation of MDC, sees an advantage in the turmoil within Zanu PF. On social media, he asserted that Zanu PF has historically engaged in factional disputes within the opposition, utilizing state apparatus to create confusion. He expressed his intent to encourage further discord within the ruling party.
Sikhala’s remarks reflect a broader narrative of political fragmentation within Zimbabwe’s opposition, which has faced multiple schisms since its establishment in 1999, ultimately costing them potential victories in past elections. The dominant faction, now known as the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), continues to navigate the impacts of this division, with Sikhala urging collective action against Zanu PF to exploit its weaknesses.
In summary, Job Sikhala’s call to action for opposition forces to leverage the internal conflicts within Zanu PF highlights the ongoing political instability in Zimbabwe. The historical exploitation of opposition divisions by Zanu PF has contributed to significant fragmentation within the MDC. As tensions rise due to succession battles, both national security implications and the prospects for opposition unity are critically at stake. Sikhala’s incendiary remarks emphasize the need for strategic responses from the opposition.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
