Mugabe calls for end to Zanu PF infighting

Mugabe calls for end to Zanu PF infighting

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe has urged members of his ruling party not to squabble over his succession, reports said Sunday.

The veteran leader, in power since independence in 1980, has suggested he will retire when his six-year term ends in 2008.

But state radio said last week his Zanu PF party was considering delaying the presidential vote and holding it alongside a parliamentary election in 2010.

The state controlled Sunday Mail said Mugabe had told a rally that Zanu PF presidential aspirants "are free to throw their hats into the ring" but should desist from fighting.

"Let us be wary of infighting among us ... I do not think it is good for us to fight over this issue. We have a leadership within the party and the issue can be discussed at that level," Mugabe said. "No one is prohibited from entering the contest, but we should not cause confusion among the people."

Zimbabwe's private media has in the last few years reported infighting in the ruling party over the succession. Divisions split the party in late 2004 over filling the vacant post of co-vice president of Zanu PF and the country.

Mugabe tried to end the split by suspending officials accused of plotting to put forward their preferred candidate for the post. The job, seen as a stepping stone to the presidency, went to Joice Mujuru, who had been water resources and infrastructure development minister.

State radio quoted Zanu PF spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira last week as saying the party was discussing delaying the presidential election by two years to consolidate Zimbabwe's voting calendar.

He did not say whether Mugabe would remain in office until 2010 or hand over to someone when his term ends.

The ruling party's two-thirds majority in parliament would allow it to pass the necessary constitutional amendments to merge the elections, but the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has vowed to fight the postponement by other means.

Mugabe said his government was working to amend the constitution to expand parliament, the Sunday Mail said.

Mugabe dismisses the opposition as a puppet of former colonial ruler Britain and other Western powers he accuses of seeking to overthrow him over his seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution among landless blacks.

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