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Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent—
VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned wayward Zanu-PF officials that they are carrying out presidential assignments that can be withdrawn at President’s Robert Mugabe’s perogative. VP Mnangagwa was speaking yesterday at the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) Jotsholo Estate which he had visited to assess the work being carried out at the plantation.

The VP was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Joseph Made; the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Samuel Undenge; the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Sithembiso Nyoni; the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Thokozile Mathuthu and Arda board chairperson Basil Nyabadza among other senior government officials.

VP Mnangagwa said party members should keep in mind that they are all serving at President Mugabe’s pleasure. “Let’s remember that these are assignments we get assigned to work on. This can change at any time,” VP Mnangagwa said.

The VP said he was impressed with the work being done at Arda Jotsholo Estate which is under wheat. Cde Mnangagwa’s sentiments on wayward party members came after the party’s Secretary for Finance, Cde Obert Mpofu, said he was the fourth in command in Zanu PF’s hierarchy.

“Zanu-PF is very procedural and regimental… we follow procedures. We’re lucky to be under President Mugabe’s leadership who is also First Secretary in Zanu-PF. He is assisted by our Second Secretaries VP Mnangagwa and VP Phelekezela Mphoko, then comes the Secretary for Administration, Cde Ignatius Chombo and myself as the Secretary for Finance I’m the fourth in command. This is not a minor achievement being number four in over 14 million people.

“When I’m close to these leaders it makes me think that one day I will reach them,” said Cde Mpofu. He said those tussling for positions should stop it and follow the party line.

Cde Mpofu hailed VP Mnangagwa for not being involved in the quarrels within Zanu-PF saying this has distinguished him from others.