ZANU PF Youth Leader Taurai Kandishaya Claims Saviour Kasukuwere is ‘Younger’ in Party Rank

Harare, Zimbabwe – September 7, 2024

By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | ZANU PF Youth League leader Taurai Kandishaya has stirred controversy by declaring that Saviour Kasukuwere, a former National Commissar of the ruling party and current contender against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is “younger” than him in terms of party rank. Kandishaya, who is 32 years old, made the statement during a heated exchange on social media, asserting that Kasukuwere, despite being 54 years old, lacks his experience and rank within the party.

Kandishaya took to his Facebook page, responding to a comment by Elijah Mangwengwende, who suggested that Kandishaya is “too young for high-level politics.” In his response, Kandishaya retorted, “He [Kasukuwere] is way younger than me. I rose through party ranks, he was sneaked in.”

This public exchange comes amid heightened tensions within ZANU PF, as Kandishaya also warned party members and external forces against attempting to undermine the party’s unity through social media. In a separate post, Kandishaya reaffirmed his commitment to defend the party from those he accuses of sowing division, directly naming Saviour Kasukuwere and his allies.

Kasukuwere, who served as National Commissar before being ousted in 2017, is seen by some as a potential challenger to President Mnangagwa’s leadership. Kandishaya’s comments reflect the internal power struggles and generational tensions within ZANU PF as the party navigates its future.

With this latest development, it is clear that the battle for influence within Zimbabwe’s ruling party is intensifying, revealing deep divisions between the old guard and emerging leaders.- ZimEye