By Albert Mpofu
In a surprising turn of events, Saviour Kasukuwere, a former cabinet minister and key figure in the G40 faction of the ruling ZANU PF party, has announced his candidacy for the upcoming general elections. The declaration has sent shockwaves through ZANU PF supporters who had assumed President Mnangagwa would be the sole candidate to challenge opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Party.
Kasukuwere, who has been residing in South Africa since his fallout with the Mnangagwa regime during the 2017 coup that led to the removal of former President Robert Mugabe, is seen as a formidable contender due to his previous role as the party’s chief mobilizer. His entry into the race has caused commotion among ZANU PF supporters, who are grappling with conflicting views regarding his eligibility and membership status.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with debates among ZANU PF supporters, with some arguing that Kasukuwere should not be allowed to contest as he currently resides outside Zimbabwe. Others claim that he is no longer a member of the party, while a vocal faction is pushing for his immediate arrest upon his return, suggesting corruption charges or other offenses as a means to disqualify him from the ballot.
Political analyst Simba Mukori believes that Kasukuwere’s candidacy will significantly impact ZANU PF’s support base. Mukori points out that Kasukuwere still enjoys a strong following, particularly among those who remember his influential role within the party’s command structure. According to Mukori, this support base, coupled with his entry into the race, could potentially split ZANU PF votes without significantly attracting new voters from the CCC. As a result, he predicts that Nelson Chamisa of the CCC party may secure a comfortable majority in the presidential election.
