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President Robert Mugabe

Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has blasted senior Zanu-PF officials for using the power shortages being experienced in the country to target the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Samuel Undenge. He was addressing party supporters at the Harare International Airport soon after arriving from the 7th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States.

President Mugabe said some members wanted to use the power shortages to depose Cde Undenge, who is also the Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson, from his position. Power shortages, the Zanu-PF leader said, were triggered by low water levels at Lake Kariba which have forced Zimbabwe and Zambia to both reduce power generation.

“So, leave Undenge alone. He doesn’t have divine powers,” President Mugabe said, addressing hundreds of party supporters. “Some wanted to take advantage of the situation as they didn’t want him in the first place. No! That’s what we don’t want, blaming others for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s the chairman for Manicaland province. He is the chairman and no-one else.”

President Mugabe said there was chaos in the province and First Lady Grace Mugabe had scheduled a visit to the province to connect with rural folk, but some divisive elements wanted to divert her to Sakubva Stadium in Mutare. The President said the First Lady, who is set to visit the province next week, had refused to be diverted.

“Undenge had proposed that she should come to Chimanimani and they said ‘no, we don’t want that because you want the First Lady to come to your constituency.’ “Who said if you’re the chairman the First Lady doesn’t visit your area? This is what’s causing infighting. So we don’t want that.”