AXED former Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is spoiling
for a bruising battle with President Robert Mugabe, whom he has promised to
kick out of both Zanu PF and government in the next few weeks.
In a statement from his new base in South Africa after
skipping the country on Tuesday evening, Mnangagwa, for the first time, openly
challenged Mugabe and First Lady Grace, saying they were “resident in the past”
and hindering the progress of Zimbabweans.
“I will go nowhere. I will fight tooth and nail against
those making a mockery of Zanu PF’s founding principles, ethos and values,” the
former VP declared yesterday.
“You (Mugabe) and your cohorts will, instead, leave Zanu PF
by the will of the people and this, we will do in the coming few weeks as
Zimbabweans in general now require new and progressive leadership that is not
resident in the past and refuses to accept change.”
Mnangagwa, without specifying how he intends to achieve the
change, said he would soon be back in the country to control all levers of
power.
“As I leave this post (VP) for now, I encourage all loyal
members of the party to remain in the party, to register to vote, as we will,
very soon, control the levers of power in our beautiful party and country. Let
not your hearts be troubled for peace, love, unity, development and prosperity
are around the corner. I will be communicating with you soon and shall return
to Zimbabwe to lead you,” the Zanu PF Midlands godfather said.
Mnangagwa, who plans to make a media briefing next week,
called on all party supporters to resist manoeuvres by Mugabe and wife to
privatise both Zimbabwe and Zanu PF.
“Fellow Zimbabweans and specifically members of Zanu PF,
the time is now to say no to demigods and people that are self-centred and only
think of themselves and their families.
“Let us bury our differences and rebuild a new and
prosperous Zimbabwe, a country that is tolerant to divergent views, a country
that respects opinion of others, a country that does not isolate itself from
the rest of the world because of one stubborn individual who believes he is
entitled to rule this country until death,” Mnangagwa said.
The ousted VP left the country on Tuesday night by air
following numerous alleged threats on his life and that of his family.
“I would like my fellow citizens to know that I am out of
the country, and safe. My sudden departure was caused by incessant threats on
my person, life and family by those who have attempted before through various
forms of elimination, including poisoning,” he said.
Mnangagwa also accused Mugabe and Grace of destabilising
the country by defending corrupt people and externalising foreign currency.
“I remain firm and resolute against those who plunder
public funds and are used by foreign countries to destabilise the party. These
same people are brazenly protected in public by the First Lady, thereby making
a mockery of our public institutions.
“I stand prepared once again to pay the ultimate price in
defence of Zimbabwe. I am not afraid of anyone or worried about my political
future under the current ‘party capture’ that is being tolerated and condoned
by the First family. I implore all genuine members of Zanu PF to reject this
‘party’ capture by a few individuals as I, hereby, do unequivocally,” he said.
A close family member said Mnangagwa had only been silent
out of respect for Mugabe, whom he has served for over 50 years.
“He was working towards reviving the economy and
progressively re-engaging the world, despite numerous calls from many quarters
for him to stand against Mugabe. He has refused and said he held high respect
for his former boss although he knew the things that Mugabe was doing were
wrong,” a family member said. Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment