Saviour Kasukuwere, a former heavyweight of the Zanu PF party who was exiled after the 2017 coup, has announced his intention to return home and challenge President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the upcoming elections. Despite concerns over potential legal obstacles, Kasukuwere remains determined to contest the presidency, causing panic within Zanu PF.
Some party loyalists claimed that Kasukuwere would be disqualified as he had been living outside the country, which goes against the constitutional requirement that presidential candidates must be “ordinarily living” in Zimbabwe. In addition to addressing this issue, Kasukuwere has also challenged a warrant of arrest for alleged corruption, clearing another potential hurdle for his return.
Kasukuwere’s spokesperson, Chris Kabato, confirmed that his return was imminent and emphasized that there was no turning back. Kasukuwere’s ally and former Zanu PF youth leader, Jim Kunaka, believed that Kasukuwere’s bid was strategic, capitalizing on growing disillusionment with the ruling party’s governance and economic policies. Analysts also noted the factionalism and ethnic politics within Zanu PF, suggesting that Kasukuwere’s candidacy posed a significant threat to Mnangagwa.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa downplayed Kasukuwere’s bid, stating that the ruling party was not concerned and was confident of a resounding victory. Kasukuwere was associated with the Generation 40 (G40) faction, which aimed to promote younger leaders and had close ties with former first lady Grace Mugabe. However, the G40’s power waned after the 2017 coup, leading to Mugabe’s resignation and the removal of several G40 members from power.
While political analysts had varying opinions on Kasukuwere’s chances, with some seeing him as a genuine threat and others dismissing him, it was clear that his bid had the potential to reshape Zanu PF and challenge its dominance. The ruling party now faces the task of responding to Kasukuwere’s challenge and addressing the underlying concerns of the population, who are eager for reforms and change.
