Tinashe Sambiri
Norton Member of Parliament, Honourable Richard Tsvangirai, made a stunning political statement on Friday, claiming that the ongoing infighting within Zanu PF has little to no impact on the daily suffering faced by ordinary Zimbabweans.
Richard Tsvangirai, son of the late Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) founding President Morgan Tsvangirai, is no stranger to political commentary. However, his latest remarks have sent ripples across the political landscape, as he sharply critiqued Zanu PF’s internal struggles, suggesting they are detached from the needs of the people.
“It feels hard to believe that any faction within ZANU-PF has what it takes to introduce the necessary reforms to transform the institution of governance, which is autocratic in nature,” said Tsvangirai. He continued by emphasizing that, despite the ongoing battles for power within Zanu PF, the party’s leadership lacks the political will required to address the country’s broader challenges. “Any leader who lacks the political will to strengthen democratic institutions is not the right person to lead this country,” he added.
Tsvangirai’s statement points to a broader critique of Zimbabwe’s political environment, which he argues has failed to evolve. “I don’t think that whoever succeeds in the factional battles within ZANU-PF will have the political will to spearhead the reforms needed to transform democratic institutions,” he said, effectively dismissing the idea that Zanu PF’s internal disputes will bring any meaningful change for the citizens who are struggling in the face of economic challenges.
The political tension within Zanu PF has been further exacerbated by the remarks of war veteran Blessed Geza, who has publicly rejected President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s attempts to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limits. Geza has dismissed Mnangagwa’s aspirations for a third term, asserting that such ambitions would be an attempt to undermine the Constitution.
In response, hardline members of Zanu PF have fiercely criticized Geza, accusing him of attempting to destabilize the party and even overthrow Mnangagwa. However, Geza has remained resolute, insisting that the Zanu PF leader should step down immediately for the betterment of the country. “Mnangagwa must step down with immediate effect,” Geza firmly stated, underscoring his belief that the current leadership is failing the people of Zimbabwe.
As the political turmoil within Zanu PF continues, Richard Tsvangirai’s comments underscore the growing frustration among opposition voices. His remarks reflect a sentiment that many Zimbabweans share—that the political elite, locked in factional battles, are more concerned with their power struggles than with addressing the country’s crippling economic and social issues. Tsvangirai’s bold assertion that the current system is incapable of meaningful reform echoes the concerns of many who see the infighting as yet another distraction from the pressing issues facing the nation.