Robert Mugabe
Lloyd Shunje in Mutare
MUTARE – Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) interim president Retired Brigadier General Agrippah Mutambara last week said a Zanu PF faction, Generation 40 (G40), is protecting President Robert Mugabe so that he continues to hang on in power. Mutambara also said Mugabe is not God and urged party supporters in Manicaland not to be afraid ahead of 2018 eletions at which the party intends to topple the 93-year-old leader from power.
Speaking during his first visit to Mutare as leader of ZimPF, Mutambara, who was accompanied by party secretary general Kudakwashe Bhasikiti and Claudios Makova, told his supporters not to be afraid but to be strong to fight Mugabe whom he accused of using the G40 faction to remain in power.
“We no longer have time and when confronting Mugabe’s government, you have to be strong. I come with the message that we have to be strong; Mugabe is a human being not God.
“Yes l know that he is now using Grace, Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo to remain in power but we have to say no to this scenario where Grace, Kasukuwere and others take over the country,” said Mutambara.
Speaking on a possible coaliton of opposition parties, Mutambara said ZimPF will consider working with any party which agrees to have primary elections for people to choose whom they want to represent them.
“There are issues that have been talked about on forming a coalition against Mugabe. A coaliton is not bad; we are not selective, we can work with anyone but in that regard, if we are to work together, all parties should declare their candidates and then we hold our own primary elections as oppostion parties. Everyone else will then rally behind the winner to participate in the election.
“We can even use the same principle to choose the person who will lead the coaltion so that we avoid fighting each other,” Mutambara said.
The meeting, which was meant to introduce the new president to Manicaland, had a low turn out with most of the attendents said to have come from Mutasa district.
Party officials blamed the the low turn out on the police that allegedly delayed to clear the meeting so as to sabotage the event.topnews
