Mutsvangwa wants Mujuru, Mavhaire, Goche scalps

By Richard Chidza

Vice-President Joice Mujuru should “re-consider” her position as the country’s number two, while two cabinet ministers “should not have anything to do” with the country’s governance, combative new war veterans boss Christopher Mutsvangwa said on Sunday.

In a telephone interview following the conclusion of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association congress in Masvingo, Mutsvangwa was pulling no punches.

“Mujuru and her acolytes have benefited from the benevolence of President Robert Mugabe, only to turn around and stab him in the back. We as war veterans changed the country’s political landscape when we brought independence. We are ready to do it again,” Mutsvangwa said.

“Given the nature of allegations against her, Mujuru must reconsider her position in both the party and government.”

Mutsvangwa lashed out at cabinet ministers Nicholas Goche and Dzikamai Mavhaire for being at the centre of an alleged plot to assassinate President Mugabe.

“Goche is the minister who is reported to be from Mashonaland Central. He was the one coordinating the whole plot. He has no liberation war credentials. We allowed him to be part of our government,” Mutsvangwa charged. “He was given a position by President Mugabe, given a national and even an international pedestal, but the last thing he does is turn on him. We will not be onlookers to the country’s politics again, the honeymoon is over.”

On Mavhaire, Mutsvangwa said the former Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson was the “front of the post colonial Rhodesian interests in the province”.

“A leopard does not change its spots. Mavhaire is known for his Mugabe must go rant in the late 90s and is at the centre of funding the faction to remove the President. You must understand that one cannot divorce the interests of white capital and the political agenda to remove President Mugabe because they are meant to benefit from the perceived change,” Mutsvangwa alleged. “He gets petty cash while the mining and farming white interests in Masvingo province cart away the country’s resources, including Lithium.”

He added: “Enough is enough, we must deal with this issue and stop the machinations of white post colonial business interests’ connection that the likes of Mavhaire are fronting.”

Mutsvangwa was elected to the position left vacant following last week’s expulsion of Jabulani Sibanda.

Mutsvangwa will be deputised by Headman  Moyo,Victor Matemadanda (Secretary General), Robert Ncube (Treasurer General), Francis Nhando (Political Commissar), Malaki Mpofu (Secretary for Security) and Mandi Chimene (Secretary for Information and Publicity).

Charles Mpofu assumed the position of secretary for Transport and Welfare, while Chief Chivese assumed the position of secretary for Legal Affairs.

Ester Munyaradzi assumed the position of Secretary for Women’s Affairs.

Both Goche and Mavhaire were last night not available for comment. They are believed to be members of a faction reportedly led by Mujuru and reportedly scheming to topple President Mugabe.

Mujuru is allegedly locked in a bitter tussle for control of Zanu PF with another faction allegedly fronted by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mutsvangwa has been one of Mujuru’s biggest critics, casting aspersions on the deputy president’s liberation war credentials. The Zimbabwe Mail