These are some of the things that transpired last week during the Zanu PF DCC polls which were held last weekend according to The Standard:
- Ballot papers were burnt in certain areas
- Candidates accused of belonging to a faction that was aligned to Mugabe in his last days in power known as G40 were prevented from taking part in the polls.
- In Nyanga, Manicaland province, one of the candidates, Moses Gutu, was arrested for destroying ballot papers and insulting a polling officer.
- In Goromonzi district, Mashonaland East province, candidates said they were threatened by some senior party officials along factional lines and labeled G40 or Gamatox and not wanted by Mnangagwa
- Some of the disgruntled candidates in the new DCC elections said they were intimidated and their supporters ended up snubbing the polls
- Some people were told to vote for candidates they were told were allegedly wanted by Mnangagwa and they did.
- Political analyst George Makoni said it was clear that the elections were characterized by vote-buying, imposition of candidates, and intimidation.
Different political analysis said the polls were chaotic and showed that the ruling party is marred with factionalism, UZ Political analysis Eldred Masunungure said:
This now appears to be a staple food in Zanu PF. They are a reflection of Zanu PF factionalism and the party appears to thrive on factionalism.
It is a paradox but it seems factionalism makes the party robust and these are permanent features in Zanu PF
