By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|  Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa ‘s strongman who is also former Masvingo Rural District Council chairman, Clemence Makwarimba, was involved in a near fatal “suspicious” accident as Zanu PF factional battles intensify.
 
The Mnangagwa man, Makwarimba missed death by a whisker on Sunday when his vehicle developed a mechanical fault , veered off the road and nearly killed the Zanu PF boss. The accident happened near Stop Over bar along the Masvingo -Great Zimbabwe highway.
 
Sources close to Makwarimba said he was in a stable condition although he could not be reached for a comment.
According to reports in Zanu PF it is suspected intelligence officials tampered with the vehicle in a calculated plot to eliminate him.
 
Makwarimba is a vital cog in the perceived Vice President Mnangagwa camp.
 
Makwarimba’s son Phainos confirmed the accident and said his father broke his artificial leg in the near fatal disaster.
 
“My father was coming from the farm when the accident happened .I think the vehicled developed a mechanical fault. The vehicle veered off the road and fortunately he managed to drag himself out  and he was quickly assisted by nearby villagers,” said Phainos.
With factional battles intensifying ,party sources said Makwarimba ,who is influential in the Team Lacoste camp,was set up by state security agents in a move meant to silence him.
 
The battle between the G4O and Team Lacoste is likely to spill into the Zanu PF politburo with Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo openly attacking presidential spokesperson George Charamba in a twitter message yesterday.