Since independence in 1980, Zanu-Pf has been the leading force in Zimbabwean politics. The party is the result of a merger of the country’s two nationalist parties, each of which had an armed wing that fought a protracted liberation war against the white people Rhodesian regime before Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. Zanu-PF party has repeatedly relied on its liberation war credentials to maintain unity and discipline. Ruling parties can be critical in sustaining authoritarian rule.
They can help prop up authoritarian regimes by distributing patronage and by discouraging ambitious politicians from defecting to opposition parties. Authorisation regimes based on parties and elections often build stronger and better performing states because their institutions allow elites to strike bargains and pursue shared goals. These are the methods have enabled Zanu-PF to prevent and off opposition. Before Mugabe was thrown out he was intense for 20 years and the rise of Zanu-PF have been using political violence increase party polarization in the 2000s. Polarization helped preserve Zanu-PF cohesion and popular base. Zanu-Pf claimed credit for improvements after international aid gained flow leading to international growth. The other opposite parties ( MDC) lost supporters and was rocked by corruption of elections. Since 2013, Zanu-PF has turned its attention to its own internal disputes, especially the battle to name Mugabe’s successsor.
In 2015 in a muscular move against Mnangagwa’s faction, the G40 began purging party structures. Conflict intensified between the younger G40 faction and the Zanu-PF old guard,which includes Mnangagwa and the other politicians who served in the liberation war. After Mujuru’s ouster, Mnangagwa won the support of the military and the country’s powerful war veterans association. On november 9 urged by his wife and her G40 allies, Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa. Most people at that time thought Mnangagwa’s dismissal was the direct cause of Zimbabwe’s political crisis. Mugabe was removed by the military in 2017 and installed Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa promised change but till to this day nothing has changed.
