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Harare Bureau
Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo yesterday unusually held a second media briefing on what transpired in the Politburo meeting on Thursday and castigated the media for exposing Vice President Mujuru’s alleged corruption.

While castigating the public media for reporting on VP Mujuru’s cases, Cde Gumbo was quiet about the negative coverage that the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe received from the private media.

Observers also raised questions on why Cde Gumbo had held another media briefing within 24 hours, a move they said pointed to a sinister agenda.

Cde Gumbo said it was shocking that the media was devoting acres of space to VP Mujuru’s alleged shenanigans.

He claimed the Politburo had urged the media to be “positive and objective”, adding that The Herald had been “unprofessional” in the coverage of VP Mujuru.

“It was unfortunately quite shocking to see The Herald devoting quite a bit of pages on VP Mujuru,” he said. “I also saw the private media, Daily News had an extensive coverage of VP Mujuru, but The Herald was particularly negative, damaging and unprofessional.

“This is our public media which is supposed to report positively, but it decided to go to town about allegations which haven’t been proven in court or otherwise.”

Cde Gumbo did not comment on the media’s extensive coverage of Dr Mugabe.

As if he were the courts, Cde Gumbo said the corruption, extortion and abuse of office allegations levelled against VP Mujuru were false.

Dr Mugabe during her “Meet the People” tours accused VP Mujuru of planning to topple President Mugabe, corruption, illicit diamond deals and demanding 10 percent shares from companies.

Cde Gumbo said VP Mujuru deserved “respect and protection”.

“These allegations are false, are the work of forces who want to bring about regime change,” he said. “What people must bear in mind is that VP Mujuru, whether you like it or not, as of now is Vice President of Zanu-PF and the country.

“Until any changes take place, she remains Vice President. We can’t have the Vice President of the country being treated the way she has been treated.”

Cde Gumbo said during the Politburo meeting, VP Mujuru defended herself well.

“The VP made a powerful and clear narrative about how she joined the liberation struggle in 1974 and linked up with President Mugabe in Mozambique in 1975,” Cde Gumbo said.

“She noted that she’s never sought any position in the party and government. She was always ready to take this or that post in the party or government. She spoke well and eloquently with dignity and maturity, demonstrating her fantastic leadership qualities.”

Cde Gumbo said some people within the party were planning to destroy the revolutionary outfit from within with a view to effect regime change.

“These elements were to some extent identified in the debate in the Politburo,” Cde Gumbo said. “It’s unfortunate that we’re witnessing the Tsholotsho 2 Declaration. The people who were involved in Tsholotsho 1 in 2004 are now being involved in Tsholotsho 2 in 2014.

“The aim has always been and continues to be to bring down the government of Zimbabwe. It’s not only to bring down President Mugabe, VP Mujuru, it’s bringing down the entire legacy of the liberation struggle.”

Asked to name the elements, Cde Gumbo said: “You know them. There were six chairmen who were suspended in 2004 and they’re still there. There’s nothing new about those people.

“All those who constituted the faction of Mnangagwa in one way or the other were involved in Tsholotsho 1 and now they’re involved in Tsholotsho 2. As a party, we can’t accept these things.”

Cde Gumbo said the “assault” on provincial chairpersons was an indication that there was a hidden agenda.

“These are people who were elected, who’re supported by the masses and they’re popular,” he said. “Even if you ask for an election they’ll win because their cause is just and they’re not involved in some of these plots.

“There’ve been lies thrown around that there’re elements who’re in the Mujuru faction who want to fight against the President. When VP Mujuru was voted we supported her and we follow what the President said.

“If there’s been a change of heart perhaps we’ll be told what has happened.”

Politburo members said the fact that Cde Gumbo held another press briefing meant that “he’d been advised to do so by other elements.”

“Why didn’t he say that immediately after the meeting when he talks to you,” said one Politburo member. “He seems to have gone somewhere and got a better briefing which goes along factional lines. Why doesn’t he bring out the fact that during the Politburo meeting he was told that he was a sellout and wanted to repeat that?”

Another Politburo source said Cde Gumbo was being selective on issues when briefing the media.

“As for the Tsholotsho Declaration 2, it’s his own thinking because it’s not from the Politburo, but his thinking,” said the source.