Grace aims higher, threatens her rivals
Grace, President Robert Mugabe’s wife, has publicly announced her ambition to occupy a higher post after being nominated to lead the Zanu (PF) Women’s league.
She made the announcement while addressing party supporters who gathered yesterday in Masvingo as she continues on her meet-the-people tours that she says are meant to thank them for supporting her political elevation in the party.
Grace did not specify which position she was aiming for but recent reports indicate that she could be gunning to succeed her 90 year old husband.
The Zimbabwean last week, quoting highly placed sources, revealed that she was already working to do that and had dumped an erstwhile confidante, Gideon Gono, to focus on her own plans to take over from Mugabe.
Grace could also aim to throw her hat in for one of the two vice presidents’ posts at the Zanu (PF) congress due in December.
She said, over the years, she had been mentored by husband for political office.
“You would see me quiet, a young girl, what did you think I was doing? I was learning,” she said. “So what is shocking you today? You made me what I am, I was copying from you. You are not supposed to be shocked, I am seeing a higher post. If you are not serious, women will take over the party.”
Grace warned that some cabinet ministers would be dumped in a reshuffled that is expected immediately after the congress.
“Some of you here were called [by Mugabe] and were warned, but you did not listen. You know what’s next. There are many people who can take the job that you have. You are crooks. If you harden your head, what if the person you are fighting for loses? What will you do? Where will you go? When it ends, some people will suffer strokes,” Grace said.
True to her militant attitude of late, Grace warned those that were opposed top her political rise that they would get burnt.
In recent weeks, she has threatened to spill here enemies’ blood. Grace saved her strident attack for those angling to succeed her husband.
She added: “Most people were being spoon-fed by my husband. He worked for them, yet today you hear them saying they want to rule the country. Are you able to rule? Leave us alone, you are revolting, you are not able to rule the country.”
She also accused some party leaders of working with Britain and the USA to remove Mugabe from power.
This week, Temba Mliswa, the Zanu (PF) provincial chairperson for Mashonaland West, was dramatically suspended for allegedly disrespecting the party leadership and his reported links to a US intelligence operative, Eric Little.
Mliswa is also reported to belong to a faction led by Joice Mujuru, Mugabe’s deputy, who Grace is said to be opposed to. The Zimbabwean
