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THERE has been considerable debate of late on the role of the media in framing factionalism in the ruling party, Zanu-PF.

While it is undeniable that, like any organisation, Zanu-PF is bound to have differences in personalities and even in its modus operandi — a lot of revolutions were characterised by such — the general feeling and consensus is that the media is fuelling the discourse to the extent that it has become something real and existential when it is just a media construct.

There is something with information and especially so lies and propaganda that has the capability of creating a world-view and alternative reality.

We might be experiencing the same thing today as we notice that, while the ruling party uprooted the real factionalism that was being fronted by former Vice President Joice Mujuru culminating in the December 2014 National People’s Congress, an alternative reality has been created.

The opponents of the ruling party in politics and their lackeys in the private media have sought to create the impression that Zanu-PF is at war with itself with alternative centres of power. We know that for a moment, that talk was brushed aside and the gospel of one centre of power was actively preached, with optimism and fresh impetus even after the self-cleansing manifest in the expulsion of the putschist cabal.

However, the private media, egged on by some political elements have managed to stay on course to cultivating a psychotic alternative reality so much so that members and followers of the ruling party have had to second guess themselves.

In this light, we welcome the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s statements during Dr Mugabe’s rally in Mashonaland Central that there is only one centre of power in the party and indeed country, which is President Mugabe.

Amai Mugabe said she did not have a faction, but worked for the party to which she belongs “500 percent”. The fact that she is working hard, which everybody should be doing anyway, does not mean that she has become a centre of power. The fact that the First Lady is connecting with the people across the country equally does not make her a centre of power because she is merely doing what a national leader, the leader of the ruling party’s Women’s League, should do. It does not make her a factional leader, let alone a centre of power.

It has been noted, usefully, that after all is said and done; Amai Mugabe does not need to have a faction because she is the sharer of the crown as the First Lady.

VP Mphoko puts the matter beyond question by explaining that the two Vice Presidents are not out to usurp the power of their principal and that President Mugabe cannot be said to be leading a faction.

He said: “Today, how can I turn against the one who appointed me and vowed to respect saying he now leads a faction? How can President Mugabe lead a faction when he is the one centre of power in our party? . . . How can the First Lady, who is always behind the President of the country, lead a faction? It’s all lies and impossible. President Mugabe will never agree to lead a faction. He is our only leader.”

This is a very factual and unequivocal statement. However, it has to be understood that the private media and the detractors of the ruling party will continue to harp on about factionalism. The motive is clear, an attempt to distract the ruling party from delivering its mandate and to see its demise. Now that this has become clear, the ruling party must now actively work to dispel any doubts that it is united. It behoves every leader to stand up and show that they are not part of any factional games and are indeed behind the sole centre of power, President Mugabe.

It must be borne in mind that as the narrative of factionalism had become psychotic it will take a lot of effort to reverse it.

Meanwhile, it is not the best of ideas to hang the private media for their political lies, lies run sprints, but the truth marathons. Grant them enough rope to hang themselves out of business.

Already they are struggling and this one figment of imagination is what they are hanging precariously on. Soon enough, and with the ruling party displaying unity, the thread will break.