Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme told the Daily News that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is paranoid following reports that the Zanu-PF leader is banning politburo members from bringing cell phones to meetings.
Daily News reports it witnessed politburo members being searched on their way in, and made to leave their electrical gadgets by the entrance of the Zanu-PF headquarters. They were told by security agents to leave their phones behind, which were wrapped in bond paper with their names written for easy of identification during collection.
After the meeting on Thursday last week, Daily News witnessed some politburo members, among them former Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, ex-Health minister David Parirenyatwa and former Information minister Chris Mushohwe collecting their phones from the security check point. Speaking to Daily News, political analyst Saungweme said such a decision to ban cell phones is a sign of paranoia. Said Saungweme:
It’s a sign of paranoia as it has been a fact that proceedings of that structure leak out to the media while in session.
South African-based political analysts Ricky Mukonza said the ban is a sign of mistrust among Zanu PF leaders and if not managed, it may further destabilise the party.
More: Daily News