Mutsvangwa told
journalists in Harare yesterday that there are “persistent efforts from
detractors who are throwing cobwebs for us to witch hunt ourselves” following
reports that Chiwenga caused a storm at a recent politburo meeting when he
spoke against corrupt businesspeople that have allegedly captured the State
under President EmmersonMnangagwa’s watch.
The VP is said
to have specifically targeted controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who
last week donated cars and cash amounting to over US$4 million during
Mnangagwa’s birthday celebrations.
Chiwenga is
said to have presented a dossier that allegedly exposed businessman Kudakwashe
Tagwirei’s underhand dealings involving a venture linked to Zanu PF.
Tagwirei
donated over 300 luxury vehicles to Zanu PF central committee members last
week.
Mnangagwa’s
deputy has become very vocal about a new class of businesspeople that have been
accumulating unexplained wealth using their political links, describing them as
zvigananda.
“There are
persistent efforts from detractors who are throwing cobwebs for us to witch
hunt ourselves,” Mutsvangwa said.
“They want to
push an agenda that only a colonial economy can function. We have showed that
we can defy that false narrative.
“The world has
changed. Now you get capital in Sao Paulo, Riyadh or Mumbai because of the
emergency of new capital markets.
“The US is
revisiting Zidera [Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act] to repeal it
after learning that Zimbabwe can defy that illegal legislation.”
He said those
that had evidence that Tagwirei was corrupt should take it to law enforcement
agents for investigation.
Chiwenga early
this year blocked moves to elevate the businessman to the Zanu PF central
committee, saying Harare province, which nominated him, did not follow party
structures.
At the time,
Mutsvangwa came out guns blazing accusing Tagwirei of trying to use money to
buy his way into the central committee, but yesterday he was singing a
different tune.
“If you have
corruption allegations and evidence against Kudakwashe Tagwirei, then go to the
police and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission,” he charged.
“People feel
they are possessive about this party. You can bring (Tagwirei) before me. I
will tell him the same thing.
“We are not
distracted by these zvigananda, which the media is publishing.
“The politburo
is not unduly moved by those things. This debate should not be the one and all
about Zanu PF.
“There are some
people who are wishing that he (President) be removed so that they can take
over.
“Wait for your
time. It will come out at the congress, through a democratic process.”
Mutsvangwa has
previously accused Chiwenga of trying to stampede Mnangagwa out of power before
his term ends.
He said the
2030 agenda was meant to ensure that Chiwenga does not succeed Mnangagwa.
There is talk
in Zanu PF that Tagwirei has become the 83-year-old Mnangagwa’s preferred
successor as part of efforts to sideline Chiwenga.
Mutsvangwa also
defended gold baron Scott Sakupwanya, who he claimed was the face of a new crop
of businesspeople empowered by Mnangagwa’s policies.
“President
Mnangagwa killed the smuggling of gold. Zimbabwe is producing 51 tonnes of gold
per annum,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Some of the
young people who have made money, such as Scott Sakupwanya, are playing a big
role in empowering other young people who are mining gold to get a fair price
after production.’
Meanwhile,
Mutsvangwa said it was up to Mnangagwa to choose if he wants to extend his term
beyond 2028.
He said Zanu PF
members pushing the 2030 agenda were exercising their democratic right.
“Any other
methods will not meet the standards of Zanu PF. People should vote,” he said.
“They are not
saying that they are going to close out an election for a particular
individual.
“They are
simply saying that when the time comes, enter the ring and who wins, wins. Zanu
PF is a mass party.”
Mutsvangwa also
said Mnangagwa was aware of his obligation to the country and would make a
decision on staying in power until 2030.
“He saw what
old age can do to a leader when he was vice-president in the first republic, so
he must be very conscious in his mind about the time one should go or not. He
is a very intelligent man. He has been there in the trenches,” he said.
“In fact, those
who are against Zimbabwe actually wonder how he has survived to, eventually, be
where he is today. So he has gone through it all.
“As things
stand, he is very conscious about his obligations to the country which he
dedicated his whole life to since he was a teenager.”
He revealed
that there are people within the ruling party who are trying to sabotage the
President and his deputies while inciting them to fight.
“I picked up
about these people. They will always be there in the revolutionary party and
invariably it is about trying to distract, confuse and to deviate the party,”
Mutsvangwa said.
“The President
and our South African friends are aware of their origin. We have a congress
coming in 2027, which will choose the party leadership. In the end, we put
those things aside and focus on what is more important at hand.
“To survive a
war is a matter of life. Once you start to see virtue because you survived war,
then you are not respecting others who were left.
“Furthermore,
we never fought as generals. We fought as commanders. We never had generals at
war.” Newsday
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