Gumbo claims plot to oust President Cde Gumbo
Cde Gumbo

Cde Gumbo

Farirai Machivenyika Harare Bureau
ZANU-PF spokesman Cde Rugare Gumbo yesterday claimed a bizarre plot to unseat President Robert Mugabe by “elements that feign love” for the veteran leader.
Cde Gumbo circulated a statement to the media yesterday in which he claimed that senior party officials – whom he refused to name – were distracting President Mugabe from tackling the country’s economic challenges in order to stop Zanu-PF from winning the 2018 elections.
The statement came after President Mugabe called an urgent politburo meeting for tomorrow to discuss internal party strife caused by jostling for positions ahead of an elective congress in December. Of particular concern, President Mugabe said on Sunday, are reports of vote buying and intimidation that dominated the Women and Youth League conferences.

Displaying unease at the latest turn, Cde Gumbo – said to be an ally of Vice President Joice Mujuru in the internal Zanu-PF factional politics – went on the offensive yesterday in an apparent bid to point the finger of blame at the rival camp purportedly led by Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“We must all be wary of elements that feign love for President Mugabe and Zanu-PF yet their real agenda is to divert President Mugabe’s attention from the core business of government in order to create problems for the party and for President Mugabe in 2018 when elections are due,” Cde Gumbo said.

“We have always known that there is a regime change agenda in place, only this time it is being pushed by our own people under the guise of loving President Mugabe.
“This is unacceptable behaviour, which smacks of deceit and a very high level of wickedness.”

Cde Gumbo could not, however, name the officials he mentioned as plotting to oust President Mugabe.
“No, I’m not going to name them,” he said in an interview.

Zanu-PF has been rocked by divisions in the wake of the Youth League and Women’s League conferences.
Harare Youth League chairman Cde Godwin Gomwe accused politburo members Cde Tendai Savanhu, Secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, Central Committee member Cde Noah Mangondo and provincial chairman Cde Amos Midzi of throwing money at youths to vote along factional lines.

Mashonaland West Youth League chairman Cde Vengai Musengi was suspended for allegedly abusing the party’s name, although he insists he was being victimised for supporting the elevation of First Lady Grace Mugabe to be Secretary for Women’s Affairs. The matters are expected to be resolved during a Politburo meeting to be held this week.

Cde Gumbo also congratulated President Mugabe for clinching various deals that are going to benefit the country’s infrastructure development during last week’s state visit to China.

“Zanu-PF wishes to congratulate the First Secretary of the party and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces President Robert Gabriel Mugabe for his successful and historic visit to China, which culminated in the signing of nine crucial deals and MoUs between Zimbabwe and China,” he said.

“Zimbabwe and China have a long history of working together collaboratively on matters of mutual interest and President Mugabe’s visit has gone a long way in cementing this relationship.

“The agreements will see a major boost in the energy, roads, national railway network, telecommunications, agriculture and tourism sectors.
“Not only do we see this as significant, we believe it is a timely arrangement that has come at a very critical moment as we forge ahead with the implementation of Zim-Asset.”

Cde Gumbo urged all party members to exert their energies on implementing the government’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.
He added: “This is all the more reason why everyone’s focus should be on the implementation of government initiatives for the good of our people.

“Anyone who misdirects their focus to dwell on petty, narrow and immature politics is not only showing disrespect to President Mugabe who is genuinely determined to improve the welfare of the people – but is on the wrong side of history and should be ashamed of himself or herself.

“Zanu-PF won a historic five-year mandate to address critical matters of national interest and that is what we should all focus on.”

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