PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe could lay treason charges against
his former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa , who slipped out of the country on
Tuesday following his expulsion, on allegations of undermining the 93-year-old
Zanu PF leader, NewsDay heard yesterday.
Stung by Mnangagwa’s statement that he was coming for
Mugabe and his family, top government sources yesterday told NewsDay, the
former Vice-President could alternatively be charged with conspiracy to
overthrow a constitutionally-elected government.
The sources said the treason charge emanated from the
stinging statement Mnangagwa issued from his new base in South Africa on
Wednesday where he threatened to return home in a few weeks’ time to take
control of all levers of power from Mugabe.
A treason charge attracts a death sentence or life in
prison. Mugabe recently indicated that he wanted a rethink on the
reintroduction of the death penalty to deal with deviants.
Information minister Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday confirmed
that various arms of the State were studying Mnangagwa’s statement, saying an
announcement on the appropriate action would be made “shortly”.
“We have seen the statement from ED Mnangagwa which is
being carefully examined and appropriate response and action will be made
afterwards,” Khaya Moyo said.
On Wednesday, the former Vice-President, who was fired from
both government and Zanu PF on allegations of disloyalty, deceitfulness and
ineptitude, warned that Mugabe’s days in power were numbered.
NewsDay heard that Mugabe was briefed of the statements
while chairing an emergency politburo meeting and later directed State security
agents to analyse the document with a view to preferring criminal charges
against his former deputy.
“So far, paragraphs that are treasonous in nature are
these; ‘as I leave this post 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.’ What does he mean and what
are his intentions?” a government source close to the investigations, queried.
The other part of the statement which reportedly unsettled
Mugabe read: “You (Mugabe) and your cohorts will instead leave Zanu PF by the
will of the people and this we will do in the coming weeks as Zimbabweans in
general now require new progressive leadership that is not resident in the past
and refuses to accept change. Fellow Zimbabweans and specifically members of
Zanu PF, the time is now to say NO to demi-gods and people that are
self-centred and only think of themselves and their families.”
The sources said Mugabe got angry at being labelled a
“self-centred demi-god”.
“Yes, the Constitution provides for the freedom of
expression, but it does not provide for freedom to insult the President or
undermine his authority,” the source said.
The other politicians who were accused of treason were
former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, former Zanu PF heavyweights Rugare Gumbo,
Didymus Mutasa and Nicholas Goche. They were accused of conspiring to overthrow
Mugabe in 2014. The quartet is yet to be arrested and formally charged.
At one time, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai had the same
charge levelled against him, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.
University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred
Masunungure, however, said that although Mnangagwa’s ouster would weaken Zanu
PF ahead of next year’s polls, it would not pose a serious threat to national
security.
“He is not the first person to be expelled from Zanu PF and
from the look of things; his departure has short-term effects. The issue of
unity and tribal politics might be topical now but at some stage, due to lack
of a clear and vibrant opposition, it will count to nothing,” Masunungure said.
“President Mugabe knows his ability and strength, his
ouster does not pose a serious threat to his rule, it is not something that he
can lose sleep about, no.” Newsday
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