by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole
HARARE – ZANU-PF’s newly co-opted Central Committee member, Dr Elder Kudakwashe Tagwirei, has justified that the masses call for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s constitutional term extension and intentions to amend the national constitution comes in the wake of observation that only him (President Emmerson Mnangagwa) has requisite qualities and capabilities for a striker whose character to score the much-needed foreign-direct investments is supreme compared to some whose only capacity rest within the defence precincts, a political frame observers believe is an indirect football-match metaphor to discuss and discredit General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga’s leadership qualities for succeeding Mnangagwa.
Closely related in the context and power dynamics (while Speaking during the party’s zone 4 inter-district meeting in Hatcliffe) where thousands were in attendance, Tagwirei indirectly thwarted prospects of any chances for possible successor to Mnangagwa past his 2028 constitutional term limit, with the businessman announcing that sufficient resources have been mobilised to ensure their quest to extend Mnangagwa’s long stay in power is realised.
“Thank you for coming in your numbers during inter-district engagement meetings where you hear the outcomes of the just-ended annual conference for the revolutionary party, ZANU-PF. Let me also announce to you and advise from my business experience giving vivid examples of a football match that meanwhile, the country solely needs a striker not a defender,” Tagwirei said.
“With continued calls for implementation of Resolution number 1 which started in Bulawayo and resurfaced in Mutare during the 22nd people’s conference, we would be left without an option but to make sure that we channel all our resources towards its realisation using all means possible including legal instruments which enable its existence. Based on massive investments response and continuous fruitful engagements by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and investors, we were all convinced that he is a striker, whose capabilities to strike successful deals with capacity to transform livelihoods and uplifting previously marginalised communities is second to none,” Tagwirei said.
“Thus the masses have demanded that he (Mnangagwa) should proceed to preside over the country’s affairs even past his term limit. The country needs a striker not a defender,” Tagwirei added.
“A time shall come when the country needs a defender, but for now, masses including all successful businessmen and investors have pleaded that they need a striker not otherwise,” Tagwirei announced.
A political observer from the ruling ZANU-PF party who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation and association to factionalism claimed that the claims by Dr Elder Kudakwashe Tagwirei indirectly denounced all the characters being pointed as possible successors to President Mnangagwa past his constitutional term limit.
“If you follow politics, understand political texts and discourse analysis, you would understand that the statement by Tagwirei has some meanings or connotations. It means that within the period that Mnangagwa has been at the helm, he managed to lure vast investments and confidence amongst investors, hence is being showered with praises of being a best striker in a political match,” the observer said.
“Equating President Mnangagwa to a striker surely discredits any possibility of succession or reduced the chances of other perceived candidates from the race. Imagine denouncing or discrediting the contributions or efforts of defenders during a football game or match, this literally means that those perceived to be harbouring succession prospects would remain a dream rather than a reality since the narrative being installed into their mindsets is that all those candidates are ruthless, harsh and intolerant,” he added.
“This is a communique that if you protest against constitutional amendment , you will regret once they ascend to power. In short, their approach to business investments is weird and would therefore scare away possible investments,” the observer claims.
Meanwhile, ZANU-PF Harare provincial political commissar, Voyage Dambuza has managed to mobilise masses to attend the inter-district engagement and grassroots annual conference feedback events, with other opposition politicians queried that the term “inter-district meeting” is an understatement since it has drawn thousands in attendence everytime he mobilised for the event.
“Only a fool would believe that these are meetings, and even if opposition believe that these are meetings, they will be buried come elections. ZANU-PF in the character of Dambuza have managed to mobilise masses using incentives and strategise realities which resonates well with those in urban areas which was previously under the political purview of opposition (opposition strongholds),” opposition political figure said.
“Each Zanu-Pf district should only constitute fifty (50) people or 60 if there is an excess. So tell me from your observation how many thousands (people) have been attending the so-called meetings within their structures? These are rallies disguised as inter-district and post-conference feedback meetings, and if you compare these events held from amongst other provinces, you would observe that the magnitude has a wide margin compared to Harare attendances,” the opposition figure said.
Vice President, General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga, has for a long period been viewed as the possible successor to Mnangagwa and his military background (including support) has placed him as holding the highest chances of ascending to power once Mnangagwa’s term expires.
The coup which overthrew then former President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, from power and parachuted Mnangagwa into the helm was aided by Chiwenga whose sacrifice and boldness in ‘defending’ the constitution was saluted by masses locally, regionally and internationally during the transitioning period.