Mines Minister Mpofu declares he is King

By Lance Guma

Zimbabwe’s controversial Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu has told a political rally in Dinde, Hwange Central constituency, that he is the strongest and most senior politician in Matabeleland North with the most support from the people.

The Umguza MP is quoted saying “I am a big politician, do not play with me, I am the most senior politician here in Matabeleland North, no one else. I am a politburo member and a Minister of Mines, if there is anyone in this province who tells you that they are more senior than me, tell them they are liars.”

Slagging off other Zanu PF politicians in the area as ‘appointees’ who should not be taken seriously, Mpofu claimed that he was the sixth most senior official in Zanu PF and was second only to Vice-President John Nkomo in the province.

“I was elected by the people and not appointed. The only people who are senior to me are our President Robert Mugabe, Vice-Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, party national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo and secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa.

“So do not take me for granted. I dictate things in Matabeleland North as the most senior person. I told the MDC-T that they should not field any other candidate in my constituency, I want Tsvangirai himself and I will beat him,” Mpofu boasted.

“If it is Welshman Ncube’s party, let him come himself. If it is Zapu, bring me (Dumiso) Dabengwa. I will never lose an election in Umguza because I learnt a lesson in the 2000 elections when I nearly fainted after being thrashed by an MDC candidate but that will never happen again.”

Mpofu has accumulated spectacular wealth from alleged corrupt deals in the Mines Ministry and is said to have gone on a real estate shopping spree, buying properties in the Bulawayo area including the Ascot Race Course and Casino. He also bought dozens of properties in Victoria Falls.

Not bad for a man who signs off his letters to President Robert Mugabe as “Your Obedient Son.”

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