By Tinoonga Mawere, Masvingo| As the Zanu PF power battles intensify, Clemence Makwarimba, who is Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s underhand apologist, has declared interest in taking up the highly coveted Masvingo senatorial post.
Top party officials this week revealed to ZimEye.com the move is aimed at consolidating Mnangagwa’s stranglehold as Team La Costa- (as the VP camp is affectionately called) -seeks to take up all strategic posts in the province.
Makwarimba is the former Chief Executive Officer for Masvingo Rural District Council and he is referred to as a shrewd schemer in the Mnangagwa camp. Party insiders said this week the Masvingo Provincial Executive is also backing Makwarimba as the internecine battles continue in the ruling party ahead of the explosive conference in Victoria Falls.
Makwarimba is reportedly working with the provincial executive to spruce up Mnangagwa’s image.
The Mnangagwa camp is also pumping thousands of dollars into the team La Costa project while Zimbabweans across the country are struggling to eke out a living .
Meanwhile, the people of Masvingo do not expect anything new from Makwarimba who left a trail of corrupt activities behind him -during his stint with Masvingo Rural District Council .
“The Mnangagwa team is now in control of the province. The provincial guys are not looking back on the issue: they see Mnangagwa as President Mugabe’s successor so Makwarimba is eyeing the senatorial post to beef up the camp. Makwarimba will get the full backing of the provincial executive Let us remember the First Lady has her people here but she is fighting a lost cause. The Mnangagwa camp is taking up all the key posts in Masvingo Province,”said a party source.
It is understood Mrs Mugabe is losing grip in the province and she has also in recent days clashed with war veterans.
Makwarimba’s ambitions have further thrown the Grace camp into further chaos.
Makwarimba is said to be a war veteran.
Mrs Mugabe addressed a rally at Mataga Growth Point early Friday and she reportedly continued to tear into the former freedom fighters .
Grace surprisingly bunked the Masvingo rally after sensing the province has suddenly turned into a no go area for her.
War vets complain that her rallies funded from state coffers are draining the treasury at a time when government is failing to pay civil servants’ bonuses.