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Zimbabwe's ruling party ousts Makoni
Dumisani Muleya, Business Day (SA)
February 07, 2008

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A700738

ZIMBABWE’s ruling Zanu (PF) yesterday formally expelled former finance Simba Makoni, a day after he announced he will challenge President Robert Mugabe in elections next month.

The move could mark the beginning of a fierce contest between Mugabe and Makoni who would square up in the March 29 elections. It could also lead to resignations by top officials and a possible split in the ruling party.

Zanu (PF) secretary for legal affairs Emmerson Mnangagwa — a staunch Mugabe loyalist currently spearheading his re-election bid — said Makoni had automatically banished himself from the party due to his decision to stand against Mugabe.

"He has expelled himself from the party, he was not expelled by anyone but himself. That is the position according to the rules of the party," Mnangagwa said on state TV and radio.

Mnangagwa said Makoni was part of Zanu (PF)’s extraordinary congress in December last year, and was therefore surprised by Makoni’s decision.

Mnangagwa has been accused of manoeuvring Mugabe back to the helm through constitutional manipulation and deceit at the congress. Makoni said many Zanu (PF) members were disappointed when Mugabe was retained at the top at congress.

Makoni said on Tuesday he was working with a "many others" in Zanu (PF).

It is understood that he is working with a powerful Zanu (PF) faction led by retired army commander Gen Solomon Mujuru. The faction has since 2006 been trying to oust Mugabe from the leadership. It is also said Makoni has secured the support of Zanu (PF) stalwart Dumiso Dabengwa who also wanted to challenge Mugabe at the polls.

Makoni and his supporters were yesterday engaged in flurry of activities in a bid to negotiate with opposition groups to confront Mugabe at the polls.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction led by Arthur Mutambara was said to be willing to work with Makoni, while that led by Morgan Tsvangirai was undecided.

Analysts said Makoni’s chances of defeating Mugabe largely depends on the platform he uses to challenge him.

If he works with MDC and civil society groups, his chances of winning are high, but if he runs as an independent candidate he faces an uphill battle.

"It depends on whether he will use Zanu (PF) structures underground, opposition structures or he will be an independent," Prof Eldred Masunungure, head of the political science department at the University of Zimbabwe, said.

"He will have a big change of winning if works with a broad alliance instead of a small group of activists."

Another University of Zimbabwe political scientist, John Makumbe, said Makoni’s chances of winning were "limited" because Mugabe "will intensify the stealing of elections".

As if his expulsion was not enough, Makoni yesterday came under vicious attack from former combatants and the government-controlled media. War veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba said Makoni was a "traitor".

"We are now going to campaign vigorously for President Mugabe. I feel sorry for Makoni, he has lost the political plot. Traitors should know that Zanu (PF) has a history of dealing harshly with their kind." 

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