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Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko is a unifier who wants Zimbabweans to transcend ethnic backgrounds and regard each other as one big family, the Minister of State in his office, Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, said yesterday.

Kanengoni-Malinga was responding to various articles denigrating VP Mphoko for sentiments he shared at First Lady Grace Mugabe’s rally in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central, last month where he spoke against people who use the tribal card to seek positions.

At the rally, VP Mphoko said, “There’s nowhere in our Constitution where it’s written that this country was liberated by a Karanga, a Ndau, a Zezuru or a Ndebele.

“What we hear now that President Mugabe is a Zezuru and if he steps down a Karanga should take over isn’t what we fought for. That’s a Rhodesian mindset. Don’t lose sleep over statements by some excitable people because there’s nothing like that.

“We’ve a party ideology and if you wander off, led by your ambition, you’ll set off landmines. Don’t say you weren’t warned. So, let’s not fool ourselves thinking that the position of President is up for grabs by everyone.”

VP Mphoko’s sentiments have been misconstrued by some sections of the media who have interpreted his statements to mean that he is prejudiced against the Karanga people.

However, Kanengoni-Malinga said those who are labelling VP Mphoko a tribalist were deliberately deducing an opposite meaning to his address at the rally.

“The VP was actually speaking against tribalism. President Mugabe is on record as saying that we’re one country and therefore can’t divide ourselves along tribal lines and in the same spirit VP Mphoko was merely repeating a message of unity that has long been preached by the President himself,” she said.

The minister reiterated that nowhere in either the national or the Zanu-PF constitution was there a provision that one would qualify for certain positions because of their ethnic background.

She said the people, like President Mugabe has always said, will choose their leaders regardless of the respective regions that they hail from.

“It was a unifying message from VP Mphoko that we should look at each other as members of one family. His message isn’t directed not only at the Presidency but to everyone at all levels of the party. He’s saying people shouldn’t believe that they deserve positions because they are from certain parts of the country,” said Kanengoni-Malinga.

She said those misconstruing VP Mphoko’s statements were bent on causing unrest and anarchy in the party and country so that people would attack the leadership on the basis of false claims.

Kanengoni-Malinga said VP Mphoko, who also heads the ministry of National Healing and Reconciliation, is passionate about national peace and unity and a Bill was being discussed in Parliament on the steps to be followed in achieving national healing and reconciliation.