--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Shaw had thought this a brilliant way to…" description: "\"“Shaw had thought this a brilliant way to sow dissent within ZANU, which had split from ZAPU several years earlier following power struggles within the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/jeremy-duns-15339_robert-mugabe_shaw-had-thought-this-a-brilliant-way-to_2703128.jpg" --- # Shaw had thought this a brilliant way to sow dissent… ![“Shaw had thought this a brilliant way to sow dissent within ZANU, which had split from ZAPU several years earlier following power struggles within the movement. But Campbell-Fraser felt the manoeuvre had been politically naive: he would have either clearly incriminated specific targets within ZANU…” quote by Jeremy Duns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/jeremy-duns-15339_robert-mugabe_shaw-had-thought-this-a-brilliant-way-to_2703128.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/jeremy-duns-15339_robert-mugabe_shaw-had-thought-this-a-brilliant-way-to_2703128.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/jeremy-duns-15339_robert-mugabe_shaw-had-thought-this-a-brilliant-way-to_2703128.jpg) > ““Shaw had thought this a brilliant way to sow dissent within ZANU, which had split from ZAPU several years earlier following power struggles within the movement. But Campbell-Fraser felt the manoeuvre had been politically naive: he would have either clearly incriminated specific targets within ZANU or left it open enough to suggest ZAPU might also have been involved, thereby creating a much wider field of suspicion. Instead, Shaw had fumbled it with a halfway house, with disastrous results. One of ZANU’s founders, Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, had left to form a more moderate group, while a firebrand figure within ZANU, Robert Mugabe, had consolidated his power by accusing rivals of collusion in the assassination. Far from fostering divisions, Shaw’s unsanctioned operation had made ZANU stronger, more militant and, worst of all, united behind Mugabe, who Campbell-Fraser felt was much more of a threat than Sithole had ever been, let alone the murdered Chitepo.”” [Jeremy Duns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-duns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shaw’s attempt to create division within ZANU backfired, strengthening Mugabe’s position and uniting the party against perceived external threats. **In simple terms:** A misguided political ploy ended up consolidating power for the intended opponent. Key Takeaway Beware of unintended consequences when intervening in factional politics. Themes political strategy power dynamics unintended consequences African politics Mood cautious analytical critical Type historical political analytical When to use this quote - election campaigns - foreign interventions - internal party disputes - media narratives Key Concepts covert operations political manipulation party cohesion Questions to Reflect On - Could a more transparent approach have prevented Mugabe’s rise? - What safeguards can prevent backfiring covert actions? 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But Campbell-Fraser felt the manoeuvre had been politically naive: he would have either clearly incriminated specific targets within ZANU or left it open enough to suggest ZAPU might also have been involved, thereby creating a much wider field of suspicion. Instead, Shaw had fumbled it with a halfway house, with disastrous results. One of ZANU’s founders, Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, had left to form a more moderate group, while a firebrand figure within ZANU, Robert Mugabe, had consolidated his power by accusing rivals of collusion in the assassination. 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